2021 Women in Professional Services: Elsa Ben Shimon, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
I led a team of attorneys on a very complex, high-profile $1.5 billion year-end sale of a large mixed-use project for one of our largest clients. The deal had to be completed on

2021 Women in Professional Services: Alison Weisman, Romer Debbas, LLP

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
In June 2020, together with my colleague, I represented a

2021 Women in Professional Services: Leslie Byrd, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of finding a way to integrate really seamlessly at the firm and in my practice group. I joined Stroock in late 2019, just a few short months before the

2021 Women in Professional Services: Christen Portelli, Highcap Group

What steps have you taken to ensure the continued success of your firm?
Offering tailored services to clients under the same roof has proven to be a recipe for success. We added a finance division eight years ago. During the height of

2021 Women in Professional Services: Cara Cronin, Cronin & Cronin Law Firm PLLC

What steps have you taken to ensure the continued success of your firm?
Communication is always important, but now, more than ever, it is critical to innovate and find ways to connect. Since face-to-face communication is

2021 Women in Professional Services: Naya Pearlman, Berdon LLP

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
During this unprecedented year, our clients were faced with numerous challenges brought on by COVID-19. Throughout this turbulent time, I served as

2021 Women in Professional Services: Karen Scanna, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
My team and I represented a joint venture managed by Lendlease and L&M Development Partners in obtaining construction financing to develop a transformative 354,000 s/f

2021 Women in Professional Services: Eva Hatzaki, Andromeda Advantage

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am proud of our campaign which included a film production with our message to the governor of New York urging him to take action and help restart the

2021 Women in Professional Services: Diana Brummer, Goodwin Procter LLP

Why should women consider a career in commercial real estate and related services?
I’ve spent over 20 years as a lawyer in commercial real estate, and I think it’s an incredibly exciting, rewarding and interesting sector. Unlike other corporate and financial industries, commercial real estate has the unique benefit of directly

2021 Women in Professional Services: Gail Morelle, Christa Construction LLC

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
My contribution in bringing life to an abandoned retail center. Skyview Park Apartments in Irondequoit, NY will transform a vacant Sears store into affordable apartments for