Atlanta, Ga. – Charles T. Sharbaugh, a Carlton Fields commercial real estate and finance lawyer, is the second recipient of the Kathy Bernhardt Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is bestowed annually by the Alliance Theatre, a division of the Woodruff Arts Center. Sharbaugh received the award on September 10, 2022, at the theatre’s season opening celebration in Atlanta, Georgia.
The award was established by the theatre’s Life Director Ken Bernhardt in honor of his late wife Kathy, who exemplified selfless volunteerism throughout her life. The annual award is presented to a community member who devotes momentous amounts of their time and talent to carry on Bernhardt’s legacy and make the Alliance a more vibrant, strong, and familial institution.
“I was surprised, honored, and very touched to have received this award,” said Sharbaugh. “The Alliance is at the heart of the Atlanta arts community. Its dedication to the culture and education of both artist and audience is astounding, and I am thankful to be a part of it.”
Sharbaugh’s volunteering efforts have provided crucial support of the theatre’s work in the community. He spearheaded a joint project between the theatre and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to secure the Georgia Film Tax Credit, allowing the allocation of more funds toward community programs. Sharbaugh has also provided pro bono counsel in the theatre’s efforts to remedy affordable housing for staff, and aided in the pursuit of FEMA support during the pandemic. Additionally, Sharbaugh is a member of the board of directors for the Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. During the pandemic, Sharbaugh and a team of Carlton Fields attorneys provided pro bono legal counsel to the Atlanta Opera. The opera’s idle costume shop was repurposed to make fabric covers for N95 medical masks in response to the nationwide shortage. Carlton Fields attorneys ensured the opera’s efforts were covered by insurance.
In his legal practice at Carlton Fields, Sharbaugh focuses on the representation of private equity funds in acquisitions, dispositions, and joint venture arrangements with respect to real estate assets. He also has experience in asset-based financing, lending arrangements, restructuring of debt obligations, and partnerships and limited liability companies. He also has significant experience representing both tenants and landlords. Sharbaugh’s industry experience covers all asset types, including hotel, resort and recreation, office, health care facilities, multifamily, industrial, and retail. He also has extensive experience in financing homebuilders, hotel, and other portfolio companies.
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