Beck of Bleakley Platt & Schmidt: Awarded "40 Under 40" from the Business Council of Westchester

Name: Katrine Beck, Esq. Title: Partner Company Name - Bleakley Platt & Schmidt What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: I started practicing law in 2000 and began to focus on commercial real estate starting in 2010. Real Estate Associations/Organizations: Westchester Women's Bar Association What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why? The "40 Under 40" award from the Business Council of Westchester. I was honored to receive this award as the first female partner recognized at my prior firm in White Plains. This recognition also meant a lot to me because it was presented on behalf of the Westchester business community, where I have practiced for the past 11 years. I'm honored to be a part of this select group of young professionals and, as a new partner at Bleakley Platt, I'm excited about adding to the long tradition of excellence of the firm. What has been your experience with having a mentor or being a mentor yourself? I firmly believe in the value of a mentoring program. I've been a mentor and a mentee, and have found the experience invaluable. Some people have mentors they may not even be aware of- their "go-to" person. This could be your parents, siblings or teachers. In the professional world, it is important to seek guidance and have someone share their experience and guide you in the right direction. A mentor can help you see things from another perspective and help you tackle some difficult situations. It is extremely gratifying to be a mentor, as you are in a unique position to share the benefit of your experience with someone who is embarking on their own journey. In the process, you have the opportunity to build an incredible relationship with another professional. I served as a mentor when I was an Assistant Corporation Counsel at the NYC Law Department; I also served on a peer mentoring committee at a large firm prior to joining Bleakley Platt. Both programs were designed to assist new attorneys to acclimate and learn the "ins and outs" of practicing law and to ask questions openly. First Thing you Do when You Arrive in Office in the morning Check voicemail and email. Issues in real estate develop rapidly and sometimes overnight. Being reachable and in contact with my clients is essential. What Time Management Strategies Do you find to be most effective for you? As a mother of three and a full time partner, it's all about time management and juggling priorities. To succeed, you need to be extremely organized, stick to a time schedule and manage some time for yourself. You must prepare the night before for the next day and accept that there are only so many hours in a day. Best advice, and who was it from? My parents gave me this advice: Treasure your reputation and integrity and protect it like your most valuable asset. This is especially true in the practice of law. You spend years building your reputation and that carries over to your relationships with clients, the bench and your peers. When it comes to your reputation, there is no room for compromise. Three women you would like to have drinks/dinner with, and where would you go? Lady Gaga, Ellen DeGeneres and Kristen Wiig- all amazing, dynamic, hilarious businesswomen who have mastered their craft and managed their careers well. I'd have drinks with them anywhere. It would be a blast! What is your favorite quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ― Maya Angelou What did you want to be when you grew up? For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a lawyer.