Lofaro of Bleakley Platt: Blessed with several mentors

Name: Jennifer Lofaro, Esq. Title: Partner Company Name: Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: Started in 1995 as a paralegal, working for a real estate attorney Admitted to the Bar in 2006 as an attorney in New York State What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why? Earlier this year, I was named a partner at Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP, a law firm that has served commercial lenders and real estate clients in Westchester, the Hudson Valley and Connecticut since 1937. I began my career at Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP as a paralegal working in the real estate/commercial lending department for ten years, and for four of those ten years, I was going to law school at night while working full time. I worked very hard to excel in both roles. Being named a Bleakley Platt partner was a major milestone in my professional and personal life. This recognition from professionals, who are my colleagues, has been a tremendously rewarding experience. What has been your experience with having a mentor or being a mentor yourself? I have been blessed with several mentors who have been instrumental in my career. When I was a paralegal, Bleakley Platt real estate partner James Sullivan provided me with opportunities to take on responsibilities and encouraged me to build relationships with his clients by fostering my "hands on" involvement with each matter. Additionally, he insisted on my attendance at closings and gave me opportunities to grow both as a real estate lawyer and a business person. Today I have a thriving practice, which includes long-time existing clients and many new clients who understand my commitment to their own success. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? That would be James J. Sullivan, my mentor as described above. What is the first thing you do when you arrive in the office in the morning? I start every day by brewing a very strong cup of coffee. What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you? I rely on a status sheet I keep of active matters that are reviewed with my paralegal daily. The goal is to have a plan, every day, and to try to stay ahead of the demands of each matter, while at the same time being flexible so that when unanticipated pressures arise, I can shift gears and my team and I can address them in a timely matter. What is the best advice you have received and who was it from? My father taught me to be self-sufficient and would remind me often that it is not important who completed what task but that the work got done to completion. He also would tell me to strive to do my very best and not compare myself to others. List 3 women that you would like to have drinks / dinner with and where would you go? Mother Theresa, Lidia Bastianich and Audrey Hepburn - somewhere we could talk. What is your favorite quote? "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved." - Helen Keller What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a woman who was independent and self-sufficient and my career path has helped me achieve that.