Alison Zirn

As General Counsel, Alison Zirn oversees the legal aspects of its commercial real estate activities including acquisitions and dispositions, financings and joint venture formation; and management and operations, as well as other aspects of SMASHotels’ business. Ms. Zirn also serves as the General Counsel of ECD Company, an affiliate of SMASHotels and founded by its principals.

Prior to joining SMASHotels, Ms. Zirn was a partner at DLA Piper LLP (US) in Chicago, Illinois as well as an associate at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan in Los Angeles, California and at DLA Piper LLP (US) in Chicago, Illinois, and brings over 30 years of legal experience. Her practice focused on land acquisition and development; construction of infrastructure and buildings; sales and leasing activities; and construction and permanent financing, with particular focus in the hospitality sector and the acquisition, disposition, development, management and financing of hotels and mixed-use projects. In addition, Ms. Zirn has extensive experience in real estate investment and finance, representing lenders and investors, as well as borrowers, in structuring financing through traditional mortgage loans, joint venture formations, and other financing and investment mechanisms.

Ms. Zirn is passionate about helping those in need and is deeply committed to pro bono legal service and has participated in a number of pro bono representations including helping improve the lives of children; access to education; immigration and asylum matters; reparations for victims of the Holocaust; and juvenile and adult expungements. She also has participated in mentorship programs for high school students from various Chicago public high schools.

Ms. Zirn received her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Michigan and her JD from University of California – Hastings College of the Law.