EX-8.4 6 a2236984zex-8_4.htm EX-8.4

Exhibit 8.4

 

Goodwin Procter LLP

100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210

goodwinlaw.com

+1 617 570 1000

 

October 26, 2018

 

LaSalle Hotel Properties

7550 Wisconsin Avenue, 10th Floor

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This opinion letter is delivered to you in connection with the prospectus included as part of the registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2018, including the Joint Proxy Statement (the “Registration Statements”) in respect of the proposed merger (the “Company Merger”) of LaSalle Hotel Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”), with and into Ping Merger Sub, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”), dated as of September 6, 2018, by and among Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“Parent”); Pebblebrook Hotel, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (together with Parent, the “Parent Parties”); Merger Sub; Ping Merger OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership; the Company; and LaSalle Hotel Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (together with the Company, the “Company Parties”). This opinion relates to the qualification of the Company Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).   Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

 

For purposes of the opinion set forth below, we have reviewed and relied upon, without independent investigation thereof, the Agreement and the Registration Statements. In rendering our opinion we also have relied upon certain statements, representations, warranties and covenants made by the Company Parties and the Parent Parties in the Agreement and in representation letters as of the date hereof and provided to us on the date hereof in connection with our preparation of this opinion, which statements, representations, warranties and covenants we have neither independently investigated nor verified.  We have assumed that such statements, representations and warranties are, and always have been, true, correct and complete, that no actions that are inconsistent with such statements, representations, warranties and covenants will be taken, and that all representations, statements and warranties qualified as to knowledge or belief or otherwise are and will be true, correct and complete as if made without such qualification.  In addition, we have reviewed the form of opinion of counsel to be received by

 


 

Parent from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP with respect to qualification of the Company Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code (the “Hunton Opinion”).

 

We also have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, the authority and capacity of the individual or individuals who executed any such documents on behalf of any person, the conformity to the final documents of all documents submitted to us as drafts and the accuracy and completeness of all records made available to us.  In addition, this opinion is based on the assumption that (i) the Company Merger will be consummated in accordance with the Agreement, (ii) the Company Merger will qualify as a merger under the applicable laws of Maryland, (iii) each of the parties to the Agreement will comply with all applicable reporting obligations with respect to the Company Merger required under the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, (iv) the Agreement is valid and binding in accordance with its terms, (v) commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 1998, the Company has qualified, and through its taxable year that ends with the Company Merger Effective Time, will continue to qualify, as a real estate investment trust under Subchapter M of the Code, (vi) commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2009, Parent has qualified, and through the taxable year which includes the Company Merger Effective Time, will continue to qualify, as a real estate investment trust under Subchapter M of the Code, and (vii) the Hunton Opinion is being delivered to Parent concurrently herewith in the form provided to us and has not been and will not be modified or withdrawn.

 

Based upon and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that the Company Merger, when effective, will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

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We express no opinion herein other than the opinion expressly set forth above.  No opinion is expressed as to the tax consequences of any transaction under foreign, state or local tax law.

 

The opinion set forth in this letter is based on relevant current provisions of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including proposed and temporary Treasury Regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, applicable legislative history, and the administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect).  Changes in applicable law could adversely affect our opinion.  We do not undertake to advise you as to any changes in applicable law after the date hereof that may affect our opinion.

 

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Any inaccuracy in, or breach of, any of the aforementioned statements, representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or assumptions could adversely affect our opinion.

 

Our opinion is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS, or a court of law, may disagree with the opinion contained herein.  No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS by any party to the Agreement as to the United States federal income tax consequences of any aspect of the Company Merger.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statements. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Goodwin Procter LLP

 

Goodwin Procter LLP

 

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