consulting and project planning, property management and
leasing. She also spearheads JRT’s strategic alliance with Cushman & Wakefield. Quote: “While some CRE firms have been
reluctant to embrace diversity practices, industry visionaries recognize that achieving a diverse workforce and supplier base is
imperative for long-term success in terms of social responsibility
and their financial bottom line.”
NINA ROKET
Partner
Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky
LLP
Roket is counsel to major office landlords in the
Midtown and Downtown markets, retail landlords in the New York metro and sellers and
purchasers of high-profile New York City prop-
erties. She was featured in New York magazine’s special section
on women leaders in the law. Quote: “The current credit crisis
has placed many deals on hold pending a clearer window into
how the economy will look in the near and long terms. The lack
of liquidity in the current market exacerbates current problems
and will have a serious impact on the local economy and real
estate values.”
KAREN SCANNA
Partner
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
Scanna works on high-profile transactions focusing on acquisition, development and financing (mortgage, mezzanine and preferred equity,
construction and permanent), usually representing owner/operators. Highlights of the past
12 months include representing a joint venture for the acquisition of a 99-year leasehold interest at 51 Astor Pl. and continued
representation of Silverstein Properties in its redevelopment of
the World Trade Center site. Quote: “We can expect to see (and
have already started seeing) the emergence of distressed real
estate funds and real estate debt funds, all of which intend to
take advantage of the opportunity that the downturn in the market has presented. Also, due to the credit crisis, the way deals are
getting done is changing.”
BELINDA SCHWARTZ
Partner
Herrick, Feinstein LLP
A transactional real estate partner at Herrick,
Schwartz represents first mortgage lenders,
mezzanine lenders, borrowers, landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers, sweat equity and preferred
equity and real estate families. She was named
to Super Lawyers New York this year. Quote: “No one knows
where the bottom of the market is or when we will hit it. Eventually, opportunities for principals (and counsel) will arise, to
the benefit of anyone willing to work hard, get their arms
around deals that have complicated structures, and assume
some risk. Everything cycles.”
CAROL SHELBY
Vice President
Meridian Capital Group
Between September 2007 and September 2008,
Shelby closed more than 92 commercial mortgages totaling nearly $800 million representing
all property asset types and in various regions of
the country. Quote: “The credit crunch is enter-
ing an entirely new and unprecedented stage. While much remains to be determined on how the commercial real estate
market will fare, it’s all but certain that the next few years will
bring heightened regulations and government oversight to the
real estate capital markets. Longstanding client and banker relationships will be key in helping not only to sustain us through
this economic climate but also seek new opportunities from it.”
DANIELLE SPROULS
Executive Vice President
Liberty Title Agency LLC
In addition to expanding Liberty’s business both
locally and nationally, Sprouls is also part of the
team that identifies industry trends, provides
sales assistance and determines policy. Thus far
in 2008, she has closed and insured more than
$2 billion in transactions, most notably the Chrysler Building
and neighboring Trylons Building in August. Last fall, she was
named the company’s sales person of the year. Quote: “
Professional women have always excelled in meeting challenges, they
have been gaining momentum in the workplace for the past two
decades. I believe the current state of affairs will accelerate our
journey and provide women with leadership positions that were
previously inaccessible.”
DARCY STACOM
Vice Chairman & Partner, Investment Properties
Institutional Group
CB Richard Ellis
Since 2003, Stacom’s advisory and sales transactions have exceeded $37.7 billion, predominantly in New York City. Most recently she
arranged the $4-billion sale of the General Mo-
tors building, 125 W. 55th Street, 540 Madison Ave. and 2 Grand
Central Tower to Boston Properties on behalf of Macklowe
Properties. Quote: “The New York investment sales market has
slowed drastically as of third quarter 2008, yet despite a credit
crisis, financial turmoil on Wall Street and a slowing national
economy, we are still seeing transactions taking place in Manhattan. An enormous pool of equity remains on the sidelines waiting for price discovery to return to the marketplace. Manhattan
always remains a highly desired office building market, and as
such, will be the first to recover when the market improves.”
