Shawn Ferrin is the CEO and Board Chair of Parsons Behle & Latimer. In addition, Shawn represents clients in complex commercial real property transactions and in obtaining development entitlements and permits throughout resort and urban communities in the western U.S.
Shawn C. Ferrin
Director, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Shareholder Salt Lake City
Capabilities
Biography
Shawn Ferrin focuses his practice on complex commercial real property transactions with an emphasis on resort, urban, retail and community development; land-use planning and entitlements; office leases; and economic development incentives.
Shawn has served as lead counsel in representing Home Depot, Boyne Resorts, Walmart Stores, Vulcan, Inc., Varde Partners, Fidelity Investments, Barrick Gold Corporation, Dyno Nobel, and Micron Technology, Inc. in significant acquisition, development, financing and entitlement transactions. He also has lead a team of Parsons’ attorneys in corporate headquarter relocations for Ancestry.com Inc., 1-800 Contacts, Inc., StorageCraft Technology Corporation and Neumont University. Local redevelopment agencies and national developers have engaged Shawn in all facets of urban redevelopment and rural entitlement projects, including structuring tax increment and assessment area financings. Shawn is also actively involved in representing conservation agencies and land owners in structuring, negotiating and enforcing conservation easements.
Shawn is an adjunct professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, where he teaches real estate development and drafting. He is also a member of the Center for International Legal Studies and has been appointed as a visiting professor of law at Brest State University, Brest, Belarus and Iliria College, Pristina, Kosovo.
Experience
Acquisition, Development and Financing of Real Estate
Lead counsel to a development company in acquiring, developing and financing five auto dealerships, two flex industrial/retail centers and two grocery store-based shopping centers. Representation includes support in developing an equity fund to assist with development projects.
Entitlement and Development of Mixed-Use Development
Lead counsel in the entitlement and development of an 89-acre mixed-use development, including residential, workforce, office and retail development that will potential include public/private development incentives and tax-credit financing.
Entitlement and Development of Mixed-use Project
Lead counsel on 89-acre mixed-use development in Summit County, including residential, workforce housing, office, retail and hotel space.
Accomplishments
Academic
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 1986)
Articles Editor, Journal of Energy Law and Policy (1986)
University of Utah (B.U.S., cum laude, 1982)
Professional
The Best Lawyers in America, "Lawyer of the Year," Real Estate Law 2023
The Best Lawyers in America, "Best Lawyer," Real Estate Law 2007 - 2024
Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2003 - 2024)
Utah Business Magazine, Utah Legal Elite, 2005 - 2012, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023
Super Lawyers, Mountain States Edition, 2007 - 2013
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rating
Associations
Professional
American Bar Association, Real Property Section
Member
(1986 - Present)
Utah State Bar Association, Real Property, Banking & Finance,
and Construction Sections
Member
(1986 - Present)
Urban Land Institute
Associate Member
International Council of Shopping Centers
Associate Member
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
Adjunct Professor, Real Estate Development and Drafting
Center for International Legal Studies, Salzburg, Austria
Member
Brest State University, Brest, Belarus
Visiting Professor of Law
Iliria College, Pristina, Kosovo
Visiting Professor of Law
Community
Economic Development Corporation of Utah
Board of Trustees
Governor's Task Force on Economic Development and the Environment
Advisor
University of Utah, Young Alumni Association
Board of Directors
Insights
Parsons Behle & Latimer Ranked Among Top Law Firms by Chambers and Partners USA
Parsons’ CEO Shawn C. Ferrin Discusses Board Expansion with Law360
Parsons Behle & Latimer Re-elects Board of Directors: Increases Board by Two Members to Accommodate Extraordinary Firm Growth
Parsons Behle & Latimer attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America