Tsoukalas of Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo, & Terrana discusses ways to increase referrals

What do you consider to be the most successful way to increase referrals? The most successful way to increase referrals is to talk about what you do to as many people as you can reach. I enjoy explaining what I do as a land use attorney because I can talk about specific projects in a particular community and that usually triggers more questions about the extent of my work. Most people are surprised to hear that I handle a broad scope of cases to include variances and site plan review for single-family residences; special use permits for restaurants, gas stations, religious institutions and other conditional uses; minor and major subdivision applications; variances and site plan approvals for malls and other well known upscale shopping centers, luxury automobile dealerships and first class hotels. What I like best about my job is that I am part of a creative and legal process that positively impacts local businesses and the community at large. That message is conveyed to everyone who can potentially refer me to a new client. What is the BEST advice you have ever received? The best career advice I have received was from my mentor and friend Peter Mineo, Esq. When I first started working for the firm eight years ago, he gave me an artist's eraser set. He explained that no matter how good we are at what we do, we all make mistakes. It was a lesson in humility and perseverance. Tsoukalas is a partner at the firm and concentrates her practice in zoning, land use, environmental and municipal law matters. Tsoukalas represents a wide variety of clients including national corporate chains, local developers and small business owners in the development of commercial and residential properties. Tsoukalas also has substantial experience in appellate practice and civil litigation. She litigates contract and real estate claims, corporate and partnership disputes, and regulatory claims arising out of building and zoning code violations. Tsoukalas is general counsel to the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association, a nationally recognized non-profit trade association with over 600 members. She also serves as counsel to the Village of Kensington Board of Trustees, Zoning Board of Appeals and Architectural Review Board. Tsoukalas has published articles in GlobeSt.com, the online edition of Real Estate New York and the New York Real Estate Journal. Andrea Tsoukalas was honored by Long Island Business News with its "40 Under 40" award (2012). She was listed by the same publication as a "Who's Who in Women in Professional Service."