Keli  Colby, Esq.

Keli Colby, Esq.

TEL 202.689.1910
CELL 202.409.3737

COLBY@SLSLAW.COM

A real estate attorney with more than 30 years' experience, Keli Colby has worked on a variety of major real estate projects and transactions both as in-house and outside counsel in the D.C. metropolitan area and nationally. Eight years with a prominent global law firm and 15 years as Vice President and Counsel with Boston Properties, Inc., a publicly traded, national REIT, Keli understands what really matters in a deal. Having been on both sides of the table, she recognizes the value in being motivated and responsive to get a deal done, as well as working collaboratively to find a successful common ground.

At Boston Properties, Keli handled legal matters pertaining to all aspects of the company's business, including property acquisitions and sales, development, structuring of complex mixed- use projects, joint ventures, finance transactions, leasing, construction, property management, and supervision of bankruptcy cases and other litigation. She also selected and supervised outside counsel and advised and collaborated with senior executives and other business personnel on transactions, business objectives, and management and operational issues.

She led the legal effort for some of the company’s most significant projects and transactions in recent years in the D.C. region, involving millions of square feet of space in the District, as well as surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia. Her work involved the spectrum of property types, including mixed-use, office, retail, residential, parking, and recreational space. Some of Keli’s more notable projects included:

  • Development of the mixed-use projects at 2200 Pennsylvania Ave./The Avenue in Washington, D.C.
  • Development of the mixed-use projects at Wisconsin Place in Chevy Chase, Maryland
  • Acquisition of a joint venture interest in a portfolio of office buildings at Reston Town Center in Reston, Virginia (and the ultimate purchase of the entire asset)
  • Sale of the trophy office building at 500 8th Street, NW, in D.C.

Earlier in her career, Keli worked at Washington-area law firms where she represented real estate owners, investors, developers, lenders, and borrowers in a wide range of matters in the D.C. market and nationally. These included acquisitions and dispositions, development, and joint ventures, as well as financings encompassing construction, permanent, securitized, and mezzanine loans. She served as counsel for Fannie Mae financings of national real estate portfolios using various products, including bond credit enhancement of tax-exempt bonds, structured adjustable-rate mortgage loans, and revolving credit facilities.

Keli unwinds from the practice of law by sharpening her yoga skills and as an avid hiker. She also enjoys taking in the sights from interesting countries and backyard hang-outs with friends that usually involves food.

  • American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 1990
  • Sweet Briar College, B.A., 1984, magna cum laude
  • District of Columbia, 1999
  • Virginia (Associate Member), 1991
  • District of Columbia Bar Association
  • Virginia Bar Association
  • CREW DC, CREW EDU Committee Member, 2018-2019, 2022
  • CREW Network — Communications and Editorial Committee, 2018