Susan B. Bastress, Esq.
Susan B. Bastress, Esq.
As the founder of Bastress & Associates, LLC, Susan offers extensive legal experience in real estate, financing, commercial transactions and dispute resolution. For over 25 years Susan has represented foreign governments, private and public companies, government agencies, developers and contractors, municipalities and non-profit organizations, with a geographical focus on the United States and the Middle East.
Susan’s clients have included the embassies of foreign governments, an international media company, a national retail chain, the institutional investment arm of a foreign government, international hotel owners, and the housing finance authority of a U.S. territory. This work has included expertise in real estate law, including acquisition, sale, financing, property management, retail and commercial leasing, and public and private (commercial and residential) development projects.
Susan also has substantial experience in alternative dispute resolution, having served on the panels of the American Arbitration Association and JAMS, and as founder of the Virgin Islands Mediation Service (VIMS). She has personally mediated more than 150 civil cases involving environmental tort liability, hurricane-related claims in construction disputes and personal injury.
In 2003, Susan established the Doha office of Patton Boggs and was admitted as the first non-Qatari attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Qatar. During her residency in the Middle East, Susan handled matters involving international relations and compliance with US and local laws. Her representation of US and Middle Eastern companies includes matters involving commercial transactions, investment opportunities, and local legal and business advice.
Susan’s experience includes:
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (DC): Real Estate Partner, Head of Middle East Task Force
Patton Boggs LLP (DC): Founding partner of Doha-Qatar Office, Chair of Real Estate Department
Moorhead & Bastress LLC (USVI): Co-founder of firm representing developers, VI Housing Finance
Authority, Founder of Virgin Islands Mediation Service (VIMS)
National Coop Bank (DC): Vice President of Share Loan subsidiary
Weinberg & Green (now Saul Ewing)(Baltimore): Real Estate Associate
US Fish & Wildlife Service (DC/MD): Wildlife biologist overseeing mid-Atlantic region
Representative Matters:
- Prepared mixed-use development documentation in connection with a $5.5 billion, 8,600-acre community being developed in Qatar.
- Represented an international airline in the launch of its flight operations into the United States.
- Mediated an architectural design dispute involving a major development in the Middle East.
- Represented the Discovery Channel in leasing of over 250 retail stores.
- Represented owners in development of 5- star hotels both internationally and in the U.S, including Doha, Cairo, Seychelles, and Baltimore.
- Represented the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority in connection with its program to develop affordable housing.
- Coordinated with the Federal National Mortgage Association to create a secondary market for housing cooperative share loans.
Education
George Washington University Law School, J.D. honors, 1981
Duke University, B.S. magna cum laude,1974
Concord Academy, 1970
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- State of Qatar
- United States Virgin Islands
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
Professional Affiliations
Middle East Institute (MEl), Member of the Board
John Hazard Institute, Member of the Board
Publications
- “Valuable Lessons Learned: One Mediator’s Perspective,” Inside the Minds: Preparing for Alternative Resolution Cases, 2007.
- Doha Brochure, April 2007.
- “Gulf Nations are Open for Business,” March 2005.
- “The Emergence of Qatar as a Prime Foreign Investment Destination,” June 2006.
- “Sovereign Wealth Funds: Applicability of CFIUS to Investments in US Real Estate,” American College of Real Estate Lawyers, August 2008.
Speeches & Programs
· “U.S. Law Offices Abroad: What You Need to Know When Entering a New Market,” Practising Law Institute (PLI) webcast, June 11, 2007.
