Craig Penny, former general counsel for a national developer of senior living and long term care facilities, has joined Baker Donelson as of counsel in the Health Law Group and as a member of the Firm's Long Term Care Industry Service Team.
Mr. Penny represents senior living, long term care and hospitality operators, lenders, and investors in transactions involving finance, development, construction, acquisitions, leasing, and corporate ventures.
In his roles at Roanoke, Virginia-based Smith/Packett Med-Com, LLC, Mr. Penny led in-house and outside counsel on more than $200 million annually in new facility construction transactions. He provided business and legal advice regarding construction, debt and equity markets, finance, corporate structure and governance, and contract law. He also led negotiations on acquisitions and divestitures; managed commercial real estate closings; and offered counsel on matters regarding zoning, land use, construction litigation, and contract disputes. During this time, Mr. Penny also served as lead counsel for two affiliates, one of which was a senior living management company with more than 40 locations and more than 3,000 residents, and the other a private equity firm managing more than $1 billion in assets. He handled a wide range of employment, licensure, care, insurance, and other related matters.
"As a key player in the senior care industry, Craig has an outstanding reputation and a depth of experience that is a strong complement to our team," said Richard D. Faulkner, Jr., leader of the Transactions Group for the Firm's Long Term Care Industry Service Team. "Craig's background encompasses the complex combination of health care, real estate, finance, and corporate law that ensures successful financing transactions for long term care and other health care facilities."
In his nearly 20 years of legal experience, Mr. Penny also spent six years in private practice, handling a range of real estate and business matters. A graduate of Villanova University School of Law, he served as a judicial intern for the Honorable William H. Lamb of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; the Honorable Arnold New of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia; and the Honorable John T.J. Kelly, Jr. of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.