Edward Wender has a diversified practice in general business law, insurance regulation relating to association health benefit plans, rendering of transactional legal opinions, and commercial real estate and finance, with experience in the development and operation of hotels and resorts and branded residential developments, management and operation of automobile dealerships, the rendering of true sale and substantive non-consolidation opinions and the operation and regulation of association health plans.

Mr. Wender has provided regular counsel and guidance to privately-held businesses including a family-owned automobile dealership group, branded and unbranded hotel management and development company, and to associations, plan administrators and claims administrators in connection with the formation and regulation of association health plans.

Mr. Wender has advised clients on the acquisition, development and financing of a variety of commercial real estate properties, including portfolios of multi-family rental properties, stand alone multi-family rental projects, medical office buildings, hotels and resorts, golf courses, and branded residential developments.  Mr. Wender’s advice extends to structuring the development, creation of membership programs, use agreements, restrictive covenants and the myriad other issues involved in complex commercial development.

Mr. Wender’s approach to projects focuses on both understanding the client’s goals and ensuring that underlying business interests are protected.

Mr. Wender believes that compromise and concessions are not always required to reach an agreement.  His mathematics background enables him to estimate the magnitude of financial issues and give clients a quick read on the size and scope of a potential problem.

Representative Clients

Mr. Wender’s clients include developers, hotel owners, management companies, insurance brokers, health plan administrators, automotive dealerships and start-up ventures.

Significant Matters

Mr. Wender has had primary responsibility for:

• acquisition, development, management, financing and disposition of hospitality properties, including individual and portfolios of branded select service and full service properties, independent luxury resorts, golf courses and branded residential communities;
• developing hospital facilities and medical office buildings;
• acquisition, syndication and development of multi-family housing projects, with low-income housing credits and conventional and HUD financing;
• formation of association health benefits plans under ERISA;
• cease and desist proceedings involving association health plans before state insurance regulatory authorities throughout the country;
• legal and business advice for a family-owned automotive group in the acquisition, management, financing and operation of Honda, Nissan, Ford and Acura dealerships; and
• organization and venture capital procurement for several start-up businesses.

Activities

At Temple Oheb Shalom, Mr. Wender has served as past vice president and past executive committee member.  He currently serves as a member of the Music Committee and is a member of the Shabbat Hallaleu band.

He served as a longtime board member at the Hannah More School for adolescents with serious emotional disturbances.  He was a volunteer lawyer representing students and their families before the Baltimore City Board of Education in matter of special education placements.

A clarinetist, Mr. Wender plays in the Baltimore Symphonic Band and the Barneby Clarinet Quartet, which make appearances throughout the metropolitan area.

Mr. Wender is also an avid racquetball player who regularly participates in regional and national tournaments.