Champoux of Crowell & Moring explains what impact social networking has had on her success

Barbara Champoux has primarily concentrated her practice in a wide variety of commercial real estate transactions, as well as associated debt and equity financing, joint ventures, ownership structuring and reorganization, and work-outs and restructures. Representative projects handled by her include, among other things: mixed use urban redevelopment; public/private partnerships; the acquisition and disposition of distressed loan portfolios (both REO and non-REO assets), as well as loan workouts, bankruptcy sales and debtor-in-possession financing; the acquisition, disposition and financing of distressed loan portfolios, as well as single asset loans on trophy properties; a variety of commercial leasing transactions, including ground leases, space leases, net leases and other tax advantaged leases; structured finance and securitizations, and representing various entrepreneurial clients in connection with their diversification, expansion, credit enhancement and joint venture/strategic alliance work. Champoux remains very active in the retail, mixed-use and leisure and lodging industries, including: handling the acquisition, financing, development, construction and operation of shopping centers and other retail projects (from strip malls to box boxes); hotels and resorts, timeshares, theme parks, water parks, aquariums and other cultural attractions, concert venues, movie theaters, themed restaurants, sports/entertainment venues and similar mixed use projects throughout the U.S.; representing all parties in commercial leasing, facility operating and management agreements, and construction, architects' and design/build agreements, and related matters, as well as investing in and financing such projects. Barbara Champoux is a partner in Crowell & Moring's New York office, is a member of its Financial Services Group and heads up its commercial real estate team, originating business and growing the firm's practice. Champoux has been recognized by the New York Times and Key Professional Media as Super Lawyer in the New York Metro area in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. In 2006 and 2007, NYCREW Network awarded Champoux the Apex Award for her overall contributions to NYCREW Network, and in 2008, Champoux was recognized as a Cushman and Wakefield Award Winner for real estate mentoring through her affiliation with the Community Outreach efforts of NYCREW Network. In addition to being an adjunct professor of Real Estate at New York Law School, Champoux is an advisory board member of Stewart Title Insurance Co., a board member of Youth Empowerment Mission, and a member of the Municipal Arts Society. She is also the chair of the industry research committee of Commercial Real Estate Women's (CREW) Network, past president and former chairperson of the board of NYCREW Network, CREW's NY chapter, and a founding chairperson of NYCREW's Community Outreach Committee. Champoux is a frequent lecturer at professional events covering various topics, including: distressed real estate and debt; financing lodging development projects; acquisition of distressed assets; commercial leasing; and various forms of structured finance, joint ventures, leasing, corporate sponsorships and strategic alliances, as well as various professional development topics. Champoux also counseled small businesses affected by the September 11th attacks on lease and other real estate issues, through the LMDC and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. What makes you an innovator? Being able and willing to adapt-on short notice-and listening to anyone and everyone and synthesizing what I learn into ideas which are sometimes innovative. I also seem to have a knack for recognizing very good and innovative ideas when I hear them, and encourage them to be adopted. What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today? I had to work my way through college and law school working as a waitress at 15, and holding several jobs through school. What motivates you to succeed? I am a deal junky, and love doing complex deals with sophisticated business people - the rest allows me to handle the best deals. I also enjoy the operations side of my clients' businesses and working with their folks in all roles and levels - I think clients appreciate that. Finally, I am very invested in, and passionate about, the success of my clients. How do you stay ahead of the curve? Reading, listening and exploring things outside of my traditional "lawyer" and "commercial real estate" boxes. What impact has social networking had on your success? It has taught me about the value of quality relationships, and allowed me to build a network of same, thereby allowing me to call upon experts for advice, make introductions for my clients and raise the profile of my firm. How has the need to create a more sustainable environment influenced the way you do business? I have clients interested in doing so, and I advise them on same, as well advising clients on the financial and promotional benefits of sustainability. It has also inspired me to join a prior firm's sustainability committee to study the implications on the environment of operations of a law firm - and to modify some of my practices regarding same. What excites you most about this industry? The broad range of disciplines and diversity of people in it. On any day I can deal with brokers, bankers, investors, property managers, general managers, CEOs and CFOs, in a broad range of businesses focused on or using real estate, from shopping centers, office buildings and theme parks, to manufacturing plants, museums and senior living facilities. My goals for the future are.... To run a business The biggest challenge facing the real estate industry in 2010 is.... Loosening liquidity. The "silver lining" in the cloud of the current economy is.... I believe some energy, creative thinking and value added may have been injected into the industry as businesses try to develop more efficient ways to operate and alternative sources of business, and individuals focus on demonstrating the value they bring to their employers. I also believe it is encouraging increased entrepreneurship and new small businesses which will contribute to alleviating some of the stagnation and dearth of fresh ideas I think permeated. Barbara Champoux is a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP, New York, N.Y.