Industry Group Chair

Kristin Macdonald

Shareholder

Background

Vast knowledge of the hospitality and MA landscape on a national scale. Regularly handles more than $2 billion in deals annually. Sought-after corporate counsel.

These attributes make Kristin Macdonald an asset to both her clients and her colleagues. A talented dealmaker and chair of Brownstein’s national Hospitality, Resort and Recreation Group, she leads mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and hotel and resort purchases and sales.

Companies and private equity firms value her ability to anticipate scenarios and proactively spot issues before they arise. Handling a high volume of deals allows Kristin to understand the most important issues that clients face in the deal process.

Kristin’s representation includes work for hotels and resorts, high-end fitness clubs, ski resorts, golf courses and other travel and leisure-focused businesses, as well as lifestyle consumer products companies. In addition to facilitating deals on her clients’ behalf, she also serves as outside counsel for organizations seeking guidance with corporate matters.

Practices:

Industries:

Representative Matters

  • Counsel to MGM Resorts in its $825 million sale of the Circus Circus Hotel Casino and Festival Grounds to an affiliate of businessman Phil Ruffin.
  • Represented a Denver-based real estate investment company in numerous deals, including the $102 million sale of the Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town Hotel, the $616 million sale of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort Spa to The Blackstone Group; the $70 million acquisition, financing, and development of an office building in Portland, Oregon; the sale of Panorama Corporate Center, a 780,659 square foot, six-building, class A office campus in suburban Denver; and the acquisition and leasing of a 200,000 square foot high-rise core and shell office development in Austin, Texas.
  • Counsel to The Bay Club Company, a premier active lifestyle and hospitality company, in its sale by York Capital Management to KKR, a leading global investment firm.
  • Represented Seller in complex sale of hotel/casino resort.
  • Counsel to The Bay Club Company in its acquisition of the Manhattan Country Club, a swim and tennis club in Manhattan Beach. CA.
  • Represented KSL Capital Partners in the entry into a Purchase and Sale Agreement by the Miraval Group for the acquisition and redevelopment of the Cranwell Spa and Golf Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Insights & Publications

Insights & Publications

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., University of Denver Sturm College of Law, with highest honors, Order of St. Ives
  • M.A., University of Denver, Graduate School of International Studies
  • B.A., University of Colorado, magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Colorado

Memberships

American Bar Association

Boulder Bar Association

Colorado Bar Association

Colorado Women’s Bar Association

Community Involvement

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Board Member, Community Food Share

Board of Directors, Growing Gardens

Board Member, YWCA of Boulder County

Board Member, Boulder 2140

Committee Member, Water for People

Recognition

AWARDS:

Chambers USA, 2025

5280 Top Lawyers, Mergers Acquisitions, 2021

40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders Award, The MA Advisor, 2015

Boulder County Business Report’s Forty under 40, 2010

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