Dusty Elias Kirk Work History Dusty is the Practice Group Leader of Reed Smith’s global Real Estate Group. Dusty's work in real estate development includes handling the acquisition, financing and tax increment financing for commercial, retail, office, industrial and institutional properties, and obtaining economic incentives for development projects. She regularly handles issues involving public-private partnerships, and transportation issues including highway occupancy permits. Dusty is an acknowledged authority on urban mixed use development, demonstrated by landmark efforts to redevelop large parcels in Pittsburgh and Allentown, Pennsylvania. These urban infill efforts took place in highly politically charged environments. Her work on negotiations with neighborhood groups, owners and developers will allow new development valued at over $650 Million. She represents real estate developers, property owners and nonprofit institutions in real estate assessment appeals of industrial, commercial, office, retail and exempt properties in issues regarding valuation of real estate, tax-exempt status, taxation of mineral rights, and tax abatements for newly constructed and reconstructed properties. Dusty counsels her clients on an array of sustainability issues that impact development projects and facilities, including advice on sustainable development matters such as the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and regulatory compliance matters such as greenhouse gas emission regulations, obtaining other regulatory approvals, negotiating complex contractual arrangements, resolving disputes, and managing risk avoidance. Education Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law, 1979, J.D. Allegheny College, 1975, B.A. Civic Activities Allegheny County Bar Association – Member, Board of Governors; Chair, Council for the Real Property Section Allegheny County Transportation Action Partnership – Legal Counsel Allegheny Regional Asset District – Chairperson Chatham University's Pennsylvania Center for Women in Politics –Member, Advisory Board Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Western Pennsylvania – Former President, Board of Directors Pennsylvania Bar Association – Member, Women in the Profession Committee Pennsylvania Supreme Court – Appointed, Disciplinary Board Hearing Officer Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania – Past Board Chair Riverlife – Member, Board of Directors Southwestern Pennsylvania Community Development Network (a part of Sustainable Pittsburgh) – Member, Steering Committee Winchester Thurston School – Board Secretary, Board of Directors, Chair of Strategic Planning Committee Honors Recipient of the 2014 Honorable Sylvia A. Rambo Award, given by the Women’s Law Caucus of the Penn State (Dickinson) School of Law to a woman in the legal profession “who has had a distinguished career and who, by example, has made the professional success if other women more likely.” Named one of BTI’s "Client Service All-Stars" for 2013 Selected by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a winner of the 2013 Business Women First Award Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Real Estate Law (2006-2015) Listed in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2011-2015); also listed in Super Lawyers Business Edition in the area of Real Estate Named to Real Estate Forum's 2012 "Women of Influence" list, which recognizes women who are helping to shape the commercial real estate industry throughout the U.S. Nominated as a 2012 "Leading Lady" by Oakland Catholic High School, which honors leaders in philanthropy, business, education and the arts Named a "2011 Women of Achievement Honoree" by Celebrate & Share for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the community Recipient of Celebrate & Share's "2010 Women of Distinction Award"