Bernard Kennedy, Bond, Schoeneck & King

What was the best thing that happened to you or your firm in 2014? Merging my law firm, Kennedy and Gillen with Bond, Schoeneck & King. The merger has provided a platform from which to broaden and grow my real estate practice. Bond's sophisticated property and environmental departments have a depth of experience in critical aspects of the law, from joint ventures to leasing to transactional work. Environmental law plays an ever increasing role in real estate development, and the ability to be at the forefront of this critical aspect of a transaction has been extremely beneficial and integral to my work. What was your most notable project, deal, transaction or personal achievement in 2014? The most notable project of 2014 is a prospective "joint venture" that will last well into the New Year as we continue to conduct due diligence and handle ongoing negotiations on a significant mixed use development in Astoria. The project would seek to up-zone certain properties, and the challenges, from land use to transactional, are both significant and compelling. Working with various landowners with different perspectives is perhaps the most challenging aspect of the deal, but the relationship building required has been extremely satisfying. What are you looking forward to accomplishing in 2015? Beyond this Astoria deal, continuing to expand my commercial leasing practice, particularly in the boroughs of New York City. What are some of your real estate predictions for 2015? Certainly we will continue to see a surge of residential expansion in the close to the city neighborhoods of the outer boroughs which will be a key driver of the real estate market in New York City.