2018 Ones to Watch: Sanjay Mody, Special Counsel at Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP

Name: Sanjay Mody

Title: Special Counsel

Company: Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP

Address: 156 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019

Year that you entered your current field? 2003

How did you get your start in your current field? 

After law school I planned to be a litigator. I clerked in the Southern District and worked in private practice. In 2006, Tony Coscia asked me to join him at Port Authority where he was serving as chairman. For the next four years as his senior advisor, I had a hand in the agency’s major projects, including the World Trade Center redevelopment, a new cross-Hudson rail tunnel, and airline terminal modernization projects. I realized that I really enjoyed working on the built environment. In 2012, we formed a practice at Windels Marx advising private companies and public authorities on the legal, financial and governmental aspects of infrastructure projects.

What are your professional goals for 2018? 

Client work is keeping me busy but I am starting to take on a more visible role in the public dialogue around infrastructure. I recently moderated a panel to discuss how the public sector and private industry can work together to help overcome our region’s infrastructure challenges (of which there are many). In addition, I have articles, roundtables and industry conferences in the pipeline. One specific area I’d like to explore is what lessons the U.S. might draw from other parts of the world on infrastructure investment.

Who or what do you attribute to your success? 

Maintaining relationships is one of the biggest factors. Tony has been a great mentor and friend, and I’m grateful for his support for more than 20 years. Another factor is remaining curious. The practice of law has become increasingly specialized and technical over my career, but I’ve found that knowledge across sectors – real estate, corporate, government relations, and others – helps a great deal in the infrastructure space.