2026 Ones To Watch - Rising Stars: Shannon Bahnsen, Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein, LLP

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role?
I was initially drawn to commercial real estate because I enjoyed the balance between legal analysis, business strategy, and relationship-building that the practice requires. Every transaction is different, and the work has a direct impact on how businesses grow and operate. My career has developed over the past 14+ years through consistent exposure to a wide range of leasing matters, representing both landlords and tenants in the leasing of high-end properties, including retail, restaurant, office, industrial and other commercial properties in New York and across the US.

What trends or opportunities do you see shaping the future of your industry?
I see retail leasing continuing to evolve around flexibility, experiential retail, and mixed-use development. Landlords and tenants are increasingly focused on creating destination spaces that drive foot traffic and customer engagement. In addition, redevelopment of shopping centers into mixed-use properties is creating new opportunities across the retail leasing sector.