Leslie Feifer NYREJ Interview: Law, Time Management and Business Development

By | November 4, 2014

Commercial Real Estate Law, Time Management and Business Development!

Leslie Feifer, a Partner in the Real Estate Practice Group at the firm Jaspen Schlesinger, recently offered her insights into time management and business development in an interview with NYREJ.

I have known Leslie for some time and have come to understand and respect the way in which she approaches her job as an attorney, which is to say as the consummate professional with a laser-focus on solving a clients issue, problem or by structuring a transaction so that her client is 100% protected and as well-served as possible.

That is how she has built such a successful practice. At the same time I was interested to get perspective on how Leslie approaches other, non-law, aspects of business.

This is her recent interview in the NYREJ…

Name: Leslie Feifer

Title: Partner

Company Name: Jaspan Schlesinger LLP

Years in Commercial Real Estate: 17

What were your biggest fears when you started out in your profession?

When I graduated law school my biggest concern was finding a job where I could acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become the best at what I was doing, while simultaneously paying off my law school loans. As time went on, I found that I achieved great satisfaction from solving problems, always addressing new issues and concerns in a creative manner and assisting clients in achieving their end goals. I appreciate that I have never been bored and always continue to learn as I grow in my expertise in the field.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

Believe it or not, my very first job was as a file clerk during my senior year in high school at a workers compensation law firm. Unbeknownst to me at the time, that was my introduction to a career in law. I learned how a law office was run; how to multi-task and balance my time among multiple projects and responsibilities; and how to work with coworkers to successfully see projects through to completion. I never expected to go into law at that time but those basic skills formed a solid basis for my future career in the profession.

What is your favorite quote?

“This too shall pass”. I used to always love this quote on a personal level but found that it is very useful in a professional setting as well. Oftentimes, clients/colleagues/associates and even I am overwhelmed with performing in accordance with deadlines and achieving end goals that can sometimes seem insurmountable. When I take a step back and remind myself “this too shall pass” I am usually able to come up with a cost effective and practical solution to the issue, whatever it may be.

What social media and/or face to face networking activities do you find most beneficial professionally?

I constantly struggle to achieve the maximum benefit from the networking activities which I choose to participate in. There are so many events to attend and I try to ensure my time is wisely spent. I am a member of a weekly networking group which has provided me with many valuable resources to support needs that my clients have. I participate in my undergraduate university’s local events when possible and am a member of my undergraduate sorority alumni group. I attended my college’s 25 year reunion and my law school’s 20 year reunion this year. I organized my high school’s 20 year reunion a few years back and have tried to establish relationships through those activities and activities similar to those.

Leslie Feifer is a partner in the Firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, where she concentrates her practice in all phases of commercial and residential real estate. She represents institutional and private lenders in mortgage transactions, purchasers and sellers in connection with sales and acquisitions of real property, including retail, office, warehouse, industrial and multi-family properties; owners in connection with sophisticated real estate refinancing transactions; and landlords and tenants in connection with commercial leasing matters. Ms. Feifer has acted as a Receiver and as counsel to Receivers of multiple commercial properties.

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Written by Michael Haltman, President of Hallmark Abstract Service, New York.

HAS is a provider of title insurance in New York State for residential and commercial real estate transactions specializing in the areas of New York City, Long Island and Westchester.

And remember that although your attorney will likely recommend a title insurance provider, you always have the right to choose your own title company (click here to learn more)!

If you have any questions you can reach Michael by email at mhaltman@hallmarkabstractllc.com.

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