Jon M. Laria

Jon M. Laria is a Baltimore real estate attorney and special counsel at Ballard Spahr LLP who represents owners, developers, investors, and lenders in complex commercial real estate matters. His practice includes development, finance, acquisitions, leasing, zoning, land use, entitlements, housing, property rights, entertainment & sports law. Before entering legal practice, he worked for a major Baltimore developer and gained direct experience with commercial real estate transactions. He has advised on prominent development projects throughout Baltimore.

Jon earned his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. He later received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Maryland School of Law. During law school, he served as Articles Editor of the Maryland Law Review. His academic background provided a strong foundation in legal research, writing, and analysis for his later real estate and land use practice.

Jon handles zoning approvals, development entitlements, financing, acquisitions, leasing, and other matters affecting commercial property. His work connects legal strategy with the practical demands of development projects and real estate investment. He has held leadership roles involving transportation, sustainable growth, economic development, housing, and land use policy in Maryland. He previously taught in the Johns Hopkins University master’s program in real estate and instructed advanced real estate transactions.

Jon M. Laria serves as Special Counsel and is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia. He previously served as Baltimore Office Managing Partner for more than a decade and remains on the Senior Leadership Team. His professional recognition includes Chambers USA for Maryland zoning and land use and Best Lawyers for real estate and land use law. He previously clerked for Judge Howard S. Chasanow of the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Law Office Affiliations

• Special Counsel, Ballard Spahr LLP
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Bar Association of Baltimore City

Licensed State

• Maryland
• District of Columbia

Education

• University of Maryland School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD) with Honors
• Johns Hopkins University
  Bachelor of Arts

Awards & Badges