Jay T. Blount

Overview

Jay Blount is an experienced transactional attorney who serves as Chair of the Hospitality practice at Eckert Seamans. He specializes in representing owners, developers, managers, and investors in hotels, resorts, food and beverage venues, and mixed-use projects. Throughout his career, Jay has handled a diverse array of hospitality matters across the United States and internationally, including projects in Bhutan, France, Indonesia, Italy, Portugal, Seychelles, and Spain.

Jay brings deep expertise in negotiating complex hotel brand management agreements and joint venture agreements. He regularly represents both buyers and sellers in hotel and resort transactions, including debt acquisitions and restructurings.

Prior to his current role, Jay served as in-house counsel at a Fortune 500 sporting goods retailer, where he advised on substantial private brand operations. This experience provided him with a strong foundation in brand development and trademark law, adding valuable intellectual property insight to his hospitality practice.

Jay’s combination of transactional experience, international project exposure, and in-house business perspective enables him to provide comprehensive counsel to clients navigating the complex hospitality landscape.

Representative Matters

• Advised an owner client regarding a brand management agreement with Hilton for the 1,000-key Diplomat Beach Resort in Florida.
• Advised a brand operator client on its purchase of a majority stake in a Colorado hotel and the planned conversion of that hotel to its brand.
• Advised an owner client regarding a brand management agreement for a Hyatt Regency to be converted into a Grand Hyatt.
• Advised an owner client regarding a brand management agreement for a Ritz Carlton.
• Advised multiple owner clients on food and beverage management agreements and leases.
• Advised investor client on a preferred equity investment in an iconic Colorado hotel.
• Advised a hotel brand client in a deed-in-lieu acquisition of one of its franchised hotels.
• Advised a private equity client on competitor matters related to its acquisition of an ownership stake in a lodging brand.
• Regularly advises luxury and boutique hotel owners regarding management agreements, including for brands The Standard, 1 Hotel, 21c Museum and Alila.