inspirational women - dla piper/media/files/insights/... · 2019-03-07 · and priorities. outside...

VOLUME 2

Inspirational Women in Real Estate

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OUR INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE

IntroductionThis is the second time we have produced this booklet to coincide with International Women’s Day, and I am delighted that we again have the opportunity to celebrate some of the women from around our Global Real Estate team. In my role as Co-Chair of our Real Estate Practice, one of my priorities is to improve the Gender Balance of our team. I have long been of the belief that cognitive diversity leads to greater performance. Therefore, having an inclusive culture that embraces diversity in all its forms, including gender, is paramount to running a successful team able to best deliver great results for our clients. The Real Estate industry as a whole has long suffered from a lack of female role models. I am proud that we can count so many strong and impressive women amongst our team at DLA Piper, and I hope that by highlighting a few of their stories we can make our contribution to changing the narrative of the industry.

Antoine MercierCo-chair, Global Real Estate PracticeParisT +33 1 40 15 24 09M +33 6 32 73 95 [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?I wanted to be a lawyer from a young age - I got my first suit when I was 8 years old! My first job in law was a part-time paralegal role at a top tier Australian firm while I was still a student. I really enjoyed working in a law firm environment, and stayed in that business for 10 years before coming over to DLA Piper in 2013.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?The thing that I enjoy the most is spending time with my kids and my husband, and enjoying simple things like going to the beach, reading, baking and (binge) watching Netflix! Like most of us, my time can be in short supply at times. My tip on balancing competing demands is to learn to prioritise but also knowing when to ask for help.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?I would say ‘go for it’. Real estate is a sector in which women have traditionally been in the minority, but in which involvement from women is growing and which is encouraging women to join its ranks. It is a great time to be a woman in real estate!

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?Real estate is such a huge sector with so many facets to it. I love interacting with people from different parts of the sector, each with their different perspectives and skill sets. I also love that we are dealing with tangible assets. There is something very satisfying about being able to look out the window from my desk, and see the buildings that I have acted in relation to!

Astrid BeemsterPartnerSydneyT +61292868631M [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?Aside from a short period in third grade when I was definitely going to become a marine biologist (because I loved going to the Marine World theme park), I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t simply understood by everyone around me that I would be a lawyer.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?Having 4 daughters ranging from 3 to 20 along with a demanding career means constantly adjusting schedules and priorities. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, entertaining, traveling and spending time with my family.

It is important to develop a reliable team at work and at home. Spoiler alert: there is no such thing as Super Woman. The real super power is understanding when and how to rely on your team to accomplish great things. Also, a princess dance party before school or work some days can make for the best day ever!

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate? Diversify your experience early. Get exposure to as many different types of projects as possible early in your career. One of the things I love about my job is that I get to work on a wide variety of deals: purchase, sale, finance, leasing, retail, office, multi-family, industrial and more. If you spend too much time focused narrowly in the beginning, it may be more difficult to branch out in the future. Having a broad understanding of real estate transactions from different angles will make you a better advocate for your client on every type of deal.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector? I love working with the same clients over and over and becoming part of the team that makes their projects come to life. There is something particularly rewarding about being able to watch a vacant lot turn into a tall, beautiful building and know I had a small part in making it happen.

Amy CarbinsPartnerWashington DCT +1 (202) 799-4518M +1 (503) [email protected]

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What led you to working in law? Curiosity led me to study law. I come from a complicated region of Italy and studying law has allowed me to understand the difference between what “is” and what it “should be”.

A desire to contribute and create something new led me to working in law. Working in law actually allows you to effectively contribute to the growth of the community, and to understand the society’s needs.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?I spend my time outside work with family, enjoying precious time with my husband and son. We like the simple things; cooking together, doing homework (!), walking, or visiting a museum. My family is my motivation.

Balancing is important in terms of timing and mental health but there is no one size fits all approach. One tip: forget Wonderwoman! Take care of yourself as you are. We all have limits, we can work on some of them but must accept the others. Put your passion in to your work and personal life and that energy will help you face the practicalities of a stressed work-life balance!

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate? Be focused on your targets and goals and don’t forget them. But at the same time, always remember your starting point and be grateful for the path you have taken and what you’ve achieved along the way.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector? As a planning and environmental lawyer, I relish the opportunity to work on matters that will play a significant role in my country’s future, such as the redevelopment of assets rather than using up our valuable green space, and emphasizing environmental factors to give quality of life to communities. Real estate can help us understand the greatest challenge of our time: the fragility of our planet, and the need for additional social spaces.

Finally, real estate helps me understand our origins: our work in Italy involves a great cultural heritage portfolio. The history of those buildings shows the journey of communities of the past.

Carmen Chierchia Lead Lawyer MilanT +39 02 80618 614 M +39 33 16 465 602 [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?I believe that it is an honor and an important time to be part of the legal system in the U.S. and today’s global economy. Prior to law school, I was working in a U.S. based technology company as a product manager. Since my work required me to interact with global businesses, I realized that other than business experiences, I really needed legal knowledge to complete the package. Although I planned to return to the business world after completion of law school, I fell in love with law itself and wanted to use my business background and knowledge in law to help more than one company, so I decided to pursue a legal career.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?Real estate is where we all interact, live and work. It is also a place where business ventures come together globally. By being part of the real estate business, I am able to work with global clients to help build tomorrow’s communities by connecting people and ideas from all over the world.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?I don’t believe in the approach of balancing my work and social life, but rather I believe in living both aspects to their fullest. Working, playing, and spending time with family and friends are all part of living and for me they are not really in conflict as we are always concerned about in our society. This perspective has totally changed my life and helped me focus on enjoying all aspects of these areas. My hobbies include playing cornhole with my husband and friends (this is a traditional lawn game where you aim sacks of corn or bean bags at a raised platform with a hole in the end.) I will be the first Chinese cornhole champion in the U.S.! Anyone want to challenge me?

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?Find a good mentor who is willing to invest time in the development of your career in real estate, not only imparting legal knowledge, but importantly commercial business acumen also. Also, it is important that female attorneys should remember to pay it forward by proactively mentoring the next generations. We are where we are because someone else took the time to invest in us. After all, law firms are a system of apprenticeship. In addition, remember to have fun along the way and don’t lose who you are and your passion.

Ying Geneve DuBoisPartnerMiamiT +1 305.423.8565M +1 [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?If I’m completely honest it was more by accident than design. I applied to study Law at Edinburgh University as my “back-up” in the event that I didn’t get accepted to do my first choice career (as a vet). The only person who was pleased about that at the time was my Dad… With hindsight it was meant to be as I can’t imagine myself standing knee-deep in mud, in the freezing Scottish countryside, tending to sick animals now!

Carolyne Hair Legal Director EdinburghT +441312425053 M +447738295959 [email protected]

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?I love the sense of achievement at the end of a transaction - seeing a deal through from start to finish is really satisfying, particularly the difficult ones. I also enjoy working with clients through the whole period of their ownership of a building - dealing with the acquisition, the subsequent management and operation of it, and ultimately the sale. It’s nice to feel like a valued part of the process and your client’s team. Scottish property law is also incredibly interesting - for example, we love a flying freehold!

I’ve also been fortunate to work with some fantastic clients over the years, who make even the most stressful of deals good fun.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?I enjoy playing golf, skiing and generally keeping fit running around after a small child. In terms of time management, I try to be as organised as possible and plan ahead - unexpected things will always come up but focus on what you can control and the rest will come together. There will always be times when it’s difficult to achieve a sensible work / life balance, but my own experience is that the vast majority of clients genuinely don’t expect (or want) their lawyers to be chained to their desks 24/7.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?When you’re starting out it’s easy to get caught up in learning and showing off how much you know about the technical aspects of the law, without really understanding the extent to which your clients actually care about the legal “issues” you come up with. I think one of the best compliments a lawyer can receive is to be described as being “commercial”, and while a lot of that can only come via experience, the best way to get you there more quickly is to make a real effort to understand your clients’ businesses and what matters to them. I have gained far more knowledge by listening to clients, than I have from reading legal textbooks.

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What led you to working in law?I have an analytical way of thinking and am very data and process driven, so I just always had a feeling that law would be the way to go for me. When I started studying, I had no doubt that this was the right path, and I quickly identified a special interest for real estate and the principles of law within that sector.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, in particular travelling and just creating fun and memorable moments with my loved ones. As for work-life balance, I would say that defining some “ground rules” for prioritizing your time is key. Figure out what works best for you and stick with it, until it stops working for you! In my experience, this really reduces the stress of having to juggle both. I don’t have any kids yet, so what works for me for now is to work long hours during the week to keep my weekends as free as I can.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?I work on real estate transactions, and what I love about that field of work is the combination of working on complex and interesting legal issues that always arise and finding commercial and innovative ways to solve them. I also enjoy the project management required to complete a major transaction.

When I began my career, I really enjoyed the hardcore legal analysis most of all, but today I’m even more fascinated by the interaction between the legal issues and the commercial aspects of a transaction as well as with the task of executing a deal in the most efficient and seamless way.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?This may be a bit of a cliché, but I would say “be yourself”. The real estate industry could use more women, so don’t be afraid to stand out, set your own agenda and make your own mark.

Another piece of advice would be not to measure yourself against the success of others; focus on your own path, your own development and your own accomplishments instead of comparing yourself to others.

Emilie MøllerPartnerCopenhagenT +45 33 34 01 42M +45 51 43 49 [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?Becoming a lawyer was perhaps as much my family’s aspiration as it was my own! As I went through school I discovered that the subjects which interested me the most (Government & Politics, History, English Literature and Critical Thinking) naturally directed me towards studying Law at university. However, it wasn’t until I experienced law in practice during work experience days and summer vacation schemes, that I became attracted to the client delivery aspects of legal practice as well as the application of technical legal knowledge. A key motivation in my legal career continues to be my interaction with clients and helping them to navigate through the legal process.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?I have an enthusiastic nature and like to try out a range of activities. I regularly go to the theatre and enjoy watching anything from world renowned shows in the West End such as ‘Hamilton’ to plays and comedy written by art enthusiasts at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I also make the most out of my annual leave by travelling to new places as I enjoy the thrill of new experiences and being able to break out of my everyday routine.

Personally, I make a positive effort to intersperse my working week with exercise classes and by attending my weekly soul and gospel singing group. My top tip is to set realistic goals based on the natural peaks and troughs of your day - schedule your leisure time so that it allows you to recharge and boost your productivity at work.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?I enjoy the fact that property is an asset class that everyone can relate to and in some way or another has an interest in. It is exciting to see new trends establish and to work with clients who are adapting to different markets.

As a real estate lawyer, I truly enjoy the variety of work I can get involved in; whether it is a development, a letting or a disposal (or all of the above!) I am constantly learning and developing my practice.

I also appreciate the co-operative nature of the real estate sector. The multi-faceted nature of transactions enable me to connect and share information with colleagues in other departments and with other professional advisors.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?Be enthusiastic and show commitment to learning and developing your practice. I recommend attending industry networking events as they provide great opportunities for meeting with other real estate professionals and keeping up to date with industry developments.

Embark on your career by asking questions and building trust with more senior colleagues in order to develop a mentoring relationship. Whilst mentors can be an invaluable resource, I would also advise that you take the time to self-reflect to ensure that you remain motivated and mindful of how to achieve your career goals.

Dami OshowoAssociate LondonT +44 207 153 7602 M +44 7968 559 263 [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?Since I was young, it was always between being a veterinarian (taking over my father’s practice) or being a lawyer. Based on my limited understanding and view that being a lawyer involved reading cases and then arguing in court, I thought that my love of reading and my ability to argue (or negotiate...) would set me up well to be a great lawyer!.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?I like how every matter is different. I’ve been working in real estate for more than 15 years (I was fortunate enough to get a job working as a paralegal in the real estate team of the former Blake Dawson Waldron whilst I was still studying at University) and whilst there are some similarities, no two matters have been the same. Whatever the transaction type or asset class, each matter creates its own challenges.

I enjoy being busy and working under pressure to a tight timeframe so the transactional aspects of property deals are appealing to me.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time? I’ve got 4 kids under the age of 10, so outside of work I love spending time with them: whether it’s taking them to swimming lessons, watching netball games, building sandcastles at the beach or keeping up with them while they ride their scooters at the park. As for balancing competing demands - I’m always open to suggestions! But for me, the key is efficiency and being organized - whilst always trying to find some time for myself.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate? I would highly recommend it. The property industry is Australia’s biggest employer, with currently 1.4 million jobs. The job opportunities within the sector are endless depending on what is of interest - whether that be becoming a real estate lawyer, a valuer, a property analyst, in construction, planning or property finance - just to name a few!

Kate PickthallSpecial CounselSydneyT +61 2 9286 8447 M [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?I wish I could say by vocation but to be honest it was either by determinism (in my father’s family there are a lot of (male) judges and lawyers for several generations) or by accident! I did not know what to do after high school and because I was the laziest person in the world, my uncle and my dad decided to apply to law school for me, so that I could “find a husband”. It seems they were right as I met my husband in a law firm but a long time after my studies! I really enjoyed law school and becoming a lawyer was the natural result of my education.

Antonia Raccat Partner, Location Head ParisT +33140152564 M +33674323422 [email protected]

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?I consider the real estate sector to be one of the most interesting parts of business law as it allows you to see all cycles of the investment, from planning to construction, structuring and financing and then asset management and disposal. More importantly it is a tangible asset so I love the idea of the building itself which combines architecture and technicalities and only exists because of the unique knowledge of so many different people. It reflects civilization and needs to evolve with the needs of the population.

What do you enjoy outside of work and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?As a mother of three (dragons), I really enjoy family time (and honestly, the Monday morning coffee in the office too!). I love the seaside, and enjoy swimming, snorkeling and surfing which are not easy in Paris! When I’m in the city, I take my kids to museums to encourage them to draw.

As lawyers we must be connected to the needs of our client, so it’s good that we can work from anywhere with an internet connection! So I work after the kids are in bed or from home so I’m there when they return from school. I also try to be organized, spending a couple of hours on Sunday classifying emails. Monday morning is dedicated to admin and catching up with my team on their matters, so I can start the week with a clean slate.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?Although the real estate sector is historically a very male dominated sector, fortunately times have changed and there are many more women both on the business side and in legal teams. Also, property is and has always been a sector where people like to have fun which in my opinion is key!

When the time came for me to have children, it was still a challenge as a successful female lawyer, but keep in mind that a legal career is a long one, and that you do not always have to be at the top. You have to accept that there will be some down time but that will not prevent you from taking off after. But women still have to dare and not be afraid to ask for what they want.

To quote Chanel; “If you are born without wings, don’t prevent them from growing”.

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What led you to working in law?For as long as I can remember, I wanted to study law. Looking back, I liked the number of possibilities and flexibility it offered.

Whilst I was still at university, I decided to specialize in tax. I think this demonstrates my planning ability and my talent for reading in to the economics of the client.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?Against the background of my tax law specialization, real estate is a really tangible and truly international sector which is driven by economic considerations. The economics of the property industry make it a particularly attractive sector for tax specialists, and I love structuring and planning with the client.

The most important aspect for me is the team work; in DLA Piper’s real estate sector we regularly work in cross-jurisdictional teams which I really enjoy.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?Outside work, I enjoy time with my family (my two daughters and my husband). I love to practice Yoga and I am just about to finish my Executive MBA studies at EBS/ Durham Business School.

We should not limit ourselves because of competing demands and should not restrict ourselves to focus on only one thing - life and its demands are holistic. My youngest daughter was born during my MBA studies and I would take her with me when travelling to Durham or when I was on campus in Germany.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?Gather as much experience as possible, be it academic or practical work experience.

Step out of your comfort zone and take responsibility. Try to connect with peers outside your organization as much as possible, as they will develop and grow with you.

Dr. Marie-Theres RämerPartnerFrankfurtT +49 69 271 33 470 M +49 160 90 18 04 07 [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?I wish I could say that I was drawn to the law by some noble calling to pursue justice for all or change the world. In fact, studying law was my back-up plan. Fresh out of high school and somewhat overwhelmed by the choices for further study and the different career paths available, I was leaning towards something in the planning or environmental regulatory space. However, it soon became apparent that I could combine these interests with my legal studies, and pursuing a career in a commercial law firm became a natural fit for me. The law presents a unique opportunity to work across multiple sectors and jurisdictions and is both challenging and rewarding on a daily basis.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?I particularly enjoy watching the projects I’m involved with take shape - there is something innately satisfying in watching a development literally rise out of the ground and transform the space and community around it.

The real estate sector caters to almost every personality type, from those who have a creative flair and an eye for design to those who love to crunch numbers and realise the value of assets, so you work with a diverse and interesting group of people on a daily basis.

The real estate sector also has an almost unparalleled ability to diversify and adapt to changing economic and social conditions, and as such, has considerable power to drive growth, promote change and ultimately shape the communities in which we live, work and socialise.

Robyn Rogers Senior Associate SydneyT +61864676073 M +61466559846 [email protected]

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?I love being outdoors. I have a passion for travel, hiking and exploring new places, or simply enjoying a morning swim at the beach with my dogs in tow. I equally enjoy a lazy afternoon curled up on the couch with a good book. It is not always easy to find time to pause in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and simply live in the moment. Competing demands on your time are a constant and a real challenge. To effectively balance these means firstly taking the time to honestly reflect on and assess what is important, not only to me and to my family, but also to my colleagues and clients. Being flexible is essential, but understanding what is truly important makes it easier to prioritize demands and also to know when it is appropriate to say “no”.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?Listen to, observe and learn from others. I have been fortunate to have had a number of role models and mentors, both men and women, and every one of them has contributed in some way to my professional and personal development. That said, you still need to be yourself. While the statistics are changing, the real estate sector is still largely male dominated. This can be intimidating. There have been many times where I have not only been the only woman in the room, but also the youngest person in the room. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion or challenge the status quo. Find your voice – people will stop and take note.

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What led you to working in law?For some strange reason (especially considering I am the first lawyer on both sides of my family) , whenever people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always answered that I wanted to study law. Not that I understood what law was or what it meant to be working in law!

Earning my law degree did, however, by no means imply that I was ready to pursue a career in law. This only started because I wanted to move to London and, after having considered job opportunities outside law, I got a job as a paralegal at a law firm in London. A year later I joined DLA Piper’s Stockholm office. Fairly quickly I came to the conclusion that working on transactions of all kinds was the most compelling, and looking back on my past eight years I have been working primarily within real estate M&A and real estate financing.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?I enjoy being outdoors, ice skating, skiing or just going for a long walk with family or friends. Sports have always played a big part in my life, it helps me cope with stress at work and it also boosts my confidence and improves my patience. Apart from working out on a regular basis, I try to take the opportunity to enjoy the quieter periods at work and leave work early and do something else.

During the stressful times, I take comfort in knowing that it is not going to be forever and that all transactions, however heavy they may be, eventually do close.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?It is a very exciting sector in constant change so you have to be quick to adapt to new market trends and other changes. I also like the fact that it has a direct effect on peoples’ daily lives; whether it be new retail centres, office spaces or logistics buildings.

Given the broad range of expertise required in the sector, I get to meet and learn from a lot of talented people. I appreciate that the real estate sector is one where, surprisingly, I find there to be more women than in others (compared to for example, the financial sector), which I find very encouraging.

Last but not least, it is always a lot of fun to pass by a finished real estate project that you have been part of.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?Believe in your ability and dare to be seen and heard, even in a room full of men. Do not be intimidated by those who know more than you, instead try to soak up as much knowledge as possible and ask questions.

Joséphine TessmarSenior AssociateStockholmT +46 8 701 78 11M +46 70 521 07 [email protected]

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What led you to working in law?I always wanted to be a lawyer from an early age! I like the analytical nature of the job and the ability to argue points from different perspectives. I was the first in my family to pursue a career in law but since then have had several nieces and nephews follow me in to the sector.

What do you love about working in the real estate sector?The real estate sector is so tangible. I have worked on some important London landmark buildings and it’s great to walk round the City and see the very subject matter of your work. I also like the variety of the work – from high end hotels to aircraft hangers to big residential developments – all with their own nuances. I recently worked on a large redevelopment of an old fire station into residential units and to see the development come out of the ground will be a proud moment. My husband says he has lost count of the times I say “I worked on that!” when we walk past buildings I have been involved in.

Sally WhitneyLegal Director LondonT +44 (0)20 7796 6369M +44 (0)7738 295434 [email protected]

What do you enjoy outside of work, and what tips do you have for balancing competing demands on your time?It has taken me years to get close to perfecting how to balance life in the office and life outside. My free time is spent with my husband and young daughter. We like travelling and recently came back from a trip round Scotland on the overnight sleeper which was great fun. To me, a successful balance is achieved in planning your day and your week – you will benefit from building in some time away from your emails if that means picking up later. It can be easy in our careers to get so busy and forget about life outside of work, but if you manage your time effectively, there is no reason why a healthy work life balance cannot be maintained. Try to be realistic with what you can take on. I have a note on my pinboard at home that says “You can do anything, just not everything”.

What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in real estate?Working in the real estate industry is a great career, so go for it! Find a mentor to support you and remember to have a business (and not merely legal) approach to your role as an advisor. You will be better placed to build client relations, give valuable advice and become that “trusted advisor” if you do . After that, when in the profession, my advice would be network, network and network some more! I was never a fan when I was younger and it can be intimidating mingling amongst a large group. That said, it is something that I benefitted hugely from. The people who you get to know early on in your career are the future managers and directors and “growing up” in the industry with them will stand you in good stead!

DLA Piper is a global law firm operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. Further details of these entities can be found at www.dlapiper.com. This publication is intended as a general overview and discussion of the subjects dealt with, and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. It is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for taking legal advice in any specific situation. DLA Piper will accept no responsibility for any actions taken or not taken on the basis of this publication. This may qualify as “Lawyer Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Copyright © 2019 DLA Piper. All rights reserved. | MAR19 | 3353987

inspirational women - dla piper/media/files/insights/... · 2019-03-07 · and priorities. outside...

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