Nir E. Margalit is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP and has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including strategy consultation as an owner (both REIT and direct/fund owned), manager, lessee/lessor, and as a brand/franchise investor. His experience includes transactions, intellectual property and branding, management agreements, corporate and financial structuring and administration, and growth strategy. Mr. Margalit is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice and the Hospitality, Resort & Golf Industry Team.
Prior to joining Foley, Mr. Margalit was the principal of NEM Hospitality Consulting providing conflict resolution, structuring advice, strategic consulting, and handling of general transactional matters. Previously, he served as general counsel to a family holding company of the global interests of a Forbes billionaire, including the majority interest in a global publicly-traded hospitality company, where he oversaw the global business, and their philanthropic and personal interests. In addition to oversight of the operational and investment matters, and a fleet of aircraft, Mr. Margalit was responsible for all matters related to the ownership and operation of the largest leading foreign daily circulation newspaper.
Mr. Margalit has served as vice president, general counsel and secretary for a number of large corporations in the hospitality, investment management, real estate, and health care industries which include Kimpton Group Holding, LLC, ZipRealty, Inc., Best Western International, Inc. – the world's largest hotel chain, Unison Healthcare Corporation – publicly-traded (NYSE) top 25 full service long-term care company, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide overseeing NYSE-traded multi-billion dollar hotels.
In 2012, Mr. Margalit was recognized by the Legal 500 for his work in real estate. He was also named one of the top leisure & hospitality lawyers nationwide by Chambers USA (2012).
He earned his legal degree from Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1985). Mr. Margalit earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration (B.S., 1982).
He serves on the board of Spark and North American Commercial Parts and Service, Inc. Mr. Margalit is admitted to practice only in the District of Columbia. He is not admitted in California.