2024 Ones to Watch Industry Leaders: Christopher Byrnes, Esq., Schroder & Strom, LLP

“Christopher Byrnes is distinguished as an industry leader for his comprehensive expertise in property tax assessment litigation across New York, securing substantial savings for diverse clients. His leadership roles, including presidency at the Community Associations Institute and notable contributions to professional and civic organizations, further underscore his influential status in the legal community.” - Karen Strom, Esq., Partner at Schroder & Strom, LLP.

In the last 12 months what accomplishment are you most proud of? In the past year, my partner and I successfully reduced the assessment of a Buffalo-area office building by over 50%, saving our client more than $700,000 annually. This achievement highlights our firm’s growth and our team’s expertise in property tax appeals.

In the last 12 months what was one of the biggest challenges you faced as a leader and how did you overcome it? In the past year, assembling a top-tier team of attorneys and legal administrators was a significant challenge. I overcame this by strategically hiring for diversity in expertise and fostering a collaborative environment that aligns with our firm’s core values and goals.

Best advice for new leaders: “Lead with empathy, drive with strategy.”