Stroock & Stroock & Lavan honors two talented women: Diana Brummer and Karen Scanna

Name: Diana Brummer Title: Partner Firm: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP Address: 180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038-4982 Telephone: 212-806-5441 Email: [email protected] URL: www.stroock.com Years with firm: 5.5 Years in field: 12 Years in real estate industry: 11 Responsibilities include: Concentrates in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions, with particular emphasis on acquisitions, developments, joint ventures, leasing, and more recently, loan workouts and equity restructurings. Significant experience in public-private real estate partnerships, including as part of the Stroock team that worked with the Mets in successfully negotiating the leasing, construction and financing of the new ballpark. Counsels her clients on all aspects of managing distressed real estate assets. Represents a wide variety of client types, including pension funds, private real estate funds and public and private REITs, as well as their investment advisors. Real estate organizations/affiliations: Member of the sponsorship committee of AREW; member of Association of the Bar of the City of New York; participates in REBNY activities. Professionally, where were you ten years ago and where are you now? Ten years ago I was a junior attorney practicing both corporate and real estate law. As I transitioned to mid-level, I became more interested in real estate law because a tangible asset is involved. Through representation of a property owner, a lawyer participates in all aspects of the "life-cycle" of that tangible asset (purchase / develop, finance, joint venture, lease, sell). The boom market also made it a particularly exciting time for real estate work. Eventually I moved to Stroock, which is recognized for its real estate practice, and have since become a partner in Stroock's real estate department. As a partner during the downturn, I have sharpened my skill set with respect to loan workouts and equity restructurings, and have been able to be more creative in assisting clients in this challenging time. Name: Karen Scanna Title: Partner Firm: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP Address: 180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038-4982 Telephone: 212-806-6010 Email: [email protected] URL: www.stroock.com Years with firm: 13.5 Years in field: 14.5 Years in real estate industry: 14.5 Responsibilities include: Acquisition, development and financing (mortgage, mezzanine and preferred equity, construction and permanent, public/private), usually from the owner/operator's perspective and most often in joint venture. Negotiating loan modifications and providing advice to clients with respect to restructurings and workouts. Transactions involve all property types-traditional office, retail and multifamily (including affordable housing, condominium developments and condominium conversions), as well as various "alternative" property types, such as hotels, assisted living and student housing. Notable transactions include: acquisition, financing and continued redevelopment of the World Trade Center; construction and financing of Citi Field; and acquisition and financing of Worldwide Plaza. Real estate organizations/affiliations: New York City Bar Association; WX, Inc. - New York Women Executives in Real Estate (dinner committee and membership committee); part of Stroock's team as counsel to The Real Estate Board of New York. Stroock advices REBNY on pending legislation at state and local levels, assists in the development of new economic development programs for the industry at large, and provides guidance regarding real estate taxes and assessments. What single event professional or personal has most significantly impacted your career? Several years ago, my Stroock mentor asked me to join him in building a real estate department at another firm. Although it would be exciting and challenging, I would have left people with whom I have made amazing relationships and thus decided to stay. I missed my mentor for the first few months after his departure, but, in retrospect, staying was the best decision. Although I still use the tools he gave me, I have been able to establish my own practice and capitalize with great success on opportunities that I may not have had if I had joined my mentor. What was the best decision that you made in the last year? The downturn has given me the opportunity to spend more time networking. I joined WX, Inc. - New York Women Executives in Real Estate (WX) and have become increasingly more involved in the organization. WX is comprised of senior women in commercial real estate and promotes the advancement of women, professionalism, ethics and integrity. I was on the committee for last year's annual dinner honoring one of our members and am also on the membership committee. This spring, I will be a mentor in a "speed mentoring" program where WX members meet with junior women in real estate and offer advice and discuss career options.