2017 Women in Professional Services: Barbara Champoux of Champoux Law Group PLLC

Name: Barbara Champoux, Esq.

Title: Principal

Company Name: Champoux Law Group PLLC 

Years in real estate: 25

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of? CREW Network, CREW New York, National Brownfields Association, Women’s Exchange

How have you navigated obstacles to achieve success in your career? I have navigated many of the obstacles faced during my career through combination of: (a) diligence and listening well, to fully understand the nature and extent of the obstacle, and interests of the various stakeholders; (b) leadership and consensus-building, to successfully develop a path, and navigate around, over and/or through the obstacle; (c) hard work and persistence; and (d) showing appreciation to all who assisted in overcoming the obstacle. Additionally, I do my best to learn from those obstacles, in order to strategically avoid or minimize them in future.

How do you play your strengths to your advantage in your career? I am a good listener, and have used that strength to my advantage to successfully: (a) negotiate for my clients, by gaining a greater understanding of their true concerns and goals, and using that to reach consensus on a solution which meets those concerns and goals, while protecting my clients’ interests to the fullest; and (b) develop creative solutions to deal challenges, and persuade other parties and stakeholders to accept and execute such solutions, and reach the closing goal-line before the clock runs out. 

What trends are you seeing so far this year? Age-restricted senior housing, particularly independent and assisted living, is highly opportunistic, especially in growing metro markets. Seniors are increasingly affluent, and are living through their 90s, with medical procedures allowing for a longer ambulatory lifestyle. But, there is often a disparity in the health and wellness between senior couples, creating a demand for more housing which suits their respective lifestyles and healthcare needs. While wage pressures and labor issues inherent in large-staff-institutions do pose significant sector challenges, the baby boomers which led the apartment boom in the 70s, will lead a senior housing boom to meet these demands.

What do you do for fun? I support, sponsor and enjoy attending the annual “Sabermetrics, Scouting and the Science of Baseball” conference in Boston.