Category: Spotlight Content

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Sarah Xu, Nuveen Green Capital

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Sarah Xu, Nuveen Green Capital

June 24, 2025
What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? I am incredibly proud of leading my team to execute over $600 million in C-PACE deals last year, which accounted for about 25% of all C-PACE originations in 2024. Additionally, we closed the second and third largest C-PACE deals ever.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Brian Peykar, Brach Eichler LLC

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Brian Peykar, Brach Eichler LLC

June 24, 2025
What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far, and what did it teach you? One challenge I have faced has been navigating complex multi-party development deals with multiple layers of ownership, governmental approvals, and environmental issues. It taught me the importance of proactive communication and that legal strategy isn’t just about risk mitigation but about facilitating forward momentum.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: David Kupfer, King & Spalding LLP

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: David Kupfer, King & Spalding LLP

June 24, 2025
What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? As a litigator, I consistently take on high-stakes cases that demand creative problem-solving. Recently, a new action was commenced against one of my clients seeking the release of a litigation escrow that was meant to cover the clients’ expenses in a separate ongoing litigation.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Lauren Younkins, Younkins & Schecter LLP

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Lauren Younkins, Younkins & Schecter LLP

June 24, 2025
What is your top advice for someone just starting out in your field? It is often hard to gauge your progress when starting out. My best advice for newly minted lawyers is to not be afraid to ask for help or admit that you don’t know something. Be honest and aware of your limitations. Find a mentor.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Tyler Dickson, M&T Realty Capital Corp.

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Tyler Dickson, M&T Realty Capital Corp.

June 24, 2025
What is your top advice for someone just starting out in your field? Seek out a strong mentor, observe their habits, and ask why they do things a certain way. A good mentor can boost your career by sharing hard-earned insights from experience. Their guidance goes beyond textbooks, helping you understand industry nuances, improve judgment, and make informed decisions.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Henry Barnathan, Meridian Capital Group

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Henry Barnathan, Meridian Capital Group

June 24, 2025
What is your top advice for someone just starting out in your field? Focus on building real relationships and treat everyone with respect. Whether it’s a building super or an owner with a 50-property portfolio, you never know who might become a valuable partner down the line. In this business, your relationships and your reputation are your most important assets. Treat everyone the way you’d want to be treated.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Matthew Aldana, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson LLP

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Matthew Aldana, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson LLP

June 24, 2025
What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? Most recently, I advised Brookfield on its joint venture with an Asian sovereign wealth fund to acquire Meguro Gajoen, a 1.5 million s/f, grade A office and hotel complex in Central Tokyo, Japan. This complex, global transaction required navigating various jurisdictions and a challenging global market.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Daniel Davidov, Skyline Properties

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Daniel Davidov, Skyline Properties

June 24, 2025
What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? Selling the Algin Queens Portfolio for $46.5 million Putting 101 Greenwich in hard contract for $105 million Putting 6 E 43rd into hard contract for $140m Each of these deals required navigating complex ownership structures, aligning off-market buyer interest with extremely discreet seller expectations.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: David Schwed, GPARENCY

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: David Schwed, GPARENCY

June 24, 2025
What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far, and what did it teach you? One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my career is the fear of rejection especially when reaching out to people. Early on, I hesitated with every call or message. But I’ve learned that confidence is built through action.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Brian Peer, Platinum Properties

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Brian Peer, Platinum Properties

June 24, 2025
What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? It’s been truly exciting to work on the leasing relaunch of 30 Wall St., a historic limestone building in The Financial District that was previously the United States Assay Office. I’ve been part of the team relaunching multiple newly built-out office suites, along with a unique retail opportunity
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Shana Smolinski, Savanna

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Shana Smolinski, Savanna

June 24, 2025
What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far, and what did it teach you? From the start, I was excited about my role at Savanna, particularly because the open structure made it an exciting challenge. Two of the biggest projects I was supposed to assist with were our portfolio insurance renewals and our ESG/GRESB reporting.
2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Elizabeth Dahill, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

2025 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Elizabeth Dahill, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

June 24, 2025
What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? In the past year, I’ve worked on affordable and transitional housing projects in NYC. These matters involve complex layers of public-private coordination and financing, development and regulatory navigation — all in service of addressing one of the most pressing issues facing the city today.