2020 Women in RE: Mindy Stern, Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP

Name: Mindy Stern

Title: Partner

Company Name: Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP

List up to three associations or organizations that you are presently a member of:

• New York State Bar Association,
• American College of Real Estate Lawyers,
• The Playwrights Realm

What is one characteristic that you believe every woman in business should possess?
The ability to be a great leader. In a recent New York Times Op-Ed, Thomas Friedman recounted his conversation with teacher and friend Dov Seidman, founder and chairman of ethics and compliance company LRN and the How Institute for Society, which promote values-based leadership. Their invaluable collective advice: For parents, teachers, school principals, CEOs, government leaders, C-suite leaders, hospital directors, managing partners of law and accounting firms, anyone and everyone in leadership roles in their personal and professional lives, key leadership qualities are: Be truthful; inspire hope; be humble; and know how to pivot. I cannot think of a better way to describe what makes a successful leader.

What would you tell your daughter if she was interested in following in your footsteps?
Do it for the right reasons. We only have one life to live. It’s important to be passionate about your chosen path, and to enjoy it. So, don’t follow in anyone’s footsteps just because you think they want you to, or because you are afraid to follow your heart, or because you are worried about what others will think. That said, if I had a daughter who was passionate about becoming an attorney, I would be delighted. To paraphrase Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra, it’s been a wonderful career!