Roket of Olshan Frome: Drive to succeed inspired by parents

Name: Nina Roket Title: Co-administrative Partner and Partner in Real Estate Practice Group Company Name: Olshan Frome Woloksy LLP Follow my company on Twitter @OlshanLaw What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: 1998 Real Estate Associations/Organizations: I serve as a member of WX, New York Women Executives in Real Estate, an invitation-only association of executive-level women actively engaged in the commercial real estate industry in New York. I'm also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). I'm the founder and chair of the Women's Committee at Olshan, which serves as a networking, business development and mentoring platform for the firm's women lawyers and their clients and colleagues What recent project or transaction are you most proud of? I've continued to head up lease negotiations with the MTA and individual retailers for Columbus Development LLC for "TurnStyle" at Columbus Circle Station. I represented the owner of Herald Center (JEMB Realty), the 10-story black glass tower that's going through extensive renovation, in negotiation of the 25-year lease with H&M for its largest store worldwide, and I've continued representation of Resorts Casino Hotel in lease and licensing transactions for Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville casino-entertainment complex in Atlantic City, built as part of and in addition to the new Resorts Casino Hotel. I also led the search and negotiations over the past year for Olshan in relocating to new offices at 1325 Ave. of the Americas. We just signed a lease for 50,000 s/f of space which we'll move into in the first quarter of 2016, creating a new law firm office model that reflects the spirit of creativity and collaboration at Olshan. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? By way of example my parents inspired me with a very strong work ethic and a drive to succeed that has served me well throughout my life and career. Thanks to their influence I'm highly motivated to challenge myself in my career. What is the first thing you do when you arrive in the office in the morning? My clients are always my primary concern and I respond to emails and check on the status of various ongoing projects. Next, I catch up on industry and business news to stay ahead of the day. What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you? I establish priorities for what I need to accomplish each day and try to stick as close as possible to the list, building in time for the inevitable unexpected emergencies. What is the best advice you have received and who was it from? "Never be afraid to ask - what's the worst anyone can say - No?" Attributed to one of my partners when he was my boss. List 3 women that you would like to have drinks / dinner with and where would you go? - Janet Yellen - Diane Von Furstenberg - Oprah Winfrey Would go to Asiate, at the Mandarin Oriental What is your favorite quote? "Leadership Belongs to those who take it." - Sheryl Sandberg What did you want to be when you grew up? Who I am today.