Spotlights
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Michael Hults, IMEG
Sharing knowledge and expertise: After 33 years as a commissioned U.S. Army officer, and now an IMEG principal, I mentor and encourage open communication. Leadership is caring for your team and their families. I involve my team in decision-making, considering their well-being, and ask them to do so too. I help my team understand the importance of empathy,
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Kara Rakowski, Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP
Recent goal and impact: For several years, it was a goal of Kara’s to expand our firm’s affordable housing practice to incorporate lawyers with a particular expertise in tax exemptions and zoning incentives. This goal finally came to fruition in late March of 2025, with Belkin Burden Goldman’s (BBG) hiring
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Cyril Touchard, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Recent goal and impact: My role in advising the UNDC on their long-term leases with the UN and the UNDP for over 650,000 s/f at One and Two United Nations Plaza. This complex transaction took several years to finalize but we were able to achieve a great result for our client and the city. The transaction will include a $500,000,000 capital improvement
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Julie Greenberg, Kasirer
Recent goal and impact: Since joining Kasirer more than 20 years ago, I’ve always had one overarching goal: Keep NYC thriving despite any political, social or economic headwinds. I’ve supported the hospitality industry with outdoor dining requirements during the pandemic, worked with the Fifth Avenue Association to make NYC a global retail destination, and I’ve helped Stony Brook University win the bid to serve as the anchor institution
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Seth Feldman, Esq., Romer Debbas LLP
Recent goal and impact: Growing the firm’s commercial leasing business using more client-friendly fee structures. This created a lot of growth opportunities and increased new client inquires.
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Matthew McDonough, Esq., McDonough PLLC
Recent goal and impact: One recent goal I achieved was refining our Economic Inclusion Plan, which I originally created in 2020 to support minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses. By enhancing the program’s structure and expanding access to resources, we’ve helped over fifty businesses get certified, access capital, and secure affordable office space. The impact has been substantial—not only for the businesses we’ve supported but also for our firm.
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Osei Rubie, National Standard Abstract
Recent goal and impact: After surpassing the $2 billion threshold of closed transactions we set another goal to close another $1 billion by year end 2024. By January 2025 despite the volatility of the real estate market we reached our goal. This was even more significant because 2025 marked the 10th year anniversary of our firm.
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Robert Rahmanian, REAL New York
Recent goal and impact: At REAL New York, one of my primary objectives was to establish a comprehensive, full-service brokerage that caters to the evolving needs of landlords and developers. Initially, our focus was on leasing for landlords with existing properties. However, as our firm expanded,
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Richard Maltz, Maltz Auctions
Sharing knowledge and expertise: I thrive on actively sharing my knowledge and expertise regarding the auction method of marketing properties with others, including potential clients, realtors, lawyers, and anyone interested in this innovative approach. Since every real estate transaction is unique, we pride ourselves on offering personalized advice and solutions.
2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Robert Withers, M1 Capital Corp.
Recent goal and impact: Our company reached $500 million in loans arranged on behalf of our clients since its inception in 2012.
Turning problems into opportunities: During the recent CRE downturn, we quickly adapted by shifting our focus to owner-occupied investors — leveraging SBA and build-to-own financing strategies that allowed us not just to survive