Robert Brusco, Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP

What are your predictions for commercial real estate in 2014? I returned to private legal practice at Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP, where I practiced real estate law for a number of years prior to joining Lehman Brothers in 2004. At Lehman, I held various business and legal roles , most recently as a Managing Director at LAMCO LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Lehman created after its bankruptcy filing) responsible for the asset management, restructuring and workout of over $3 billion of real estate positions owned by the Lehman estate. Prior to the bankruptcy, I was responsible for originating, structuring and closing debt and equity investments in Lehman's Global Real Estate Group. The opportunity to apply practical business experience gained during one of the most economically volatile periods in recent memory to my current practice has translated into tangible value to our clients in their real estate transactions. While the collapse of Lehman and the distress that many other financial institutions have suffered are increasingly in the rearview mirror, the reverberations are still being felt today. Clearly, though, there appears to be a growing sense of optimism, albeit cautious optimism, evidenced by not only an up-tick in deal flow of late, but seeing those deals actually close. Looking to 2014, I anticipate the marketplace to remain cautiously optimistic and to continue using creative methods for investing in real estate projects. If the current deal momentum gains traction, it will continue through early next year and, hopefully, beyond.