Name: Karen Rodgers
Title: Partner
Company Name: Garfunkel Wild, P.C.
What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: 1999
What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?
I recently had the privilege of participating in the transfer of over 300 owned and leased properties, including residential and commercial, of a large not-for-profit organization through bankruptcy. What made this transaction so meaningful was that this particular organization was responsible for the housing and oversight of people with behavioral and developmental disabilities. Our main objective was to successfully transfer the homes and apartments to new programs to oversee these residents without causing disruption in their lives. While I have experience with other major bankruptcies of hospitals and nursing homes, this was different in that it was not a typical sale of assets through the bankruptcy process, but due to complex legal restrictions, the large portfolio of real property could only be disposed of through assignment or subletting. This required the complicated process of coordinating with various state agencies, landlords and our client to ensure minimal impact on the lives of the residents.
What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?
I would say that the best advice that I received was from a Philosophy professor with whom I worked closely in my undergraduate education. He advised me to fight hard when the situation warrants it, stay true to my convictions and be aware that women lawyers had infinitely influential potential.
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