134: Nationwide Leader of Real Estate Development - Jennifer Schultz, Partner, Nixon Peabody

Jennifer Schultz is a partner and the leader of nationwide commercial real estate development at Nixon Peabody. Her impressive legal career includes over a dozen years at Goodwin Procter representing equity investors in real estate, followed by serving in leadership roles at Sullivan and Nixon Peabody. Her expertise lies in comprehensive real estate development processes, all while acting as a trusted advisor to her clients, embodying the role of a modern "consigliere."

The discussion begins by shedding light on a prevalent misconception in real estate—that legal counsel is merely a cost to be managed rather than a vital resource to be exploited. Jennifer outlines how engaging legal advisors early can avert potential pitfalls and enhance project value. Her approach champions legal counsel as indispensable partners throughout a development project’s lifecycle, providing strategic insights and safeguarding future value.

The conversation pivots to explore the firm’s extensive capabilities in real estate development, emphasizing nuanced aspects like permitting, risk management, and innovative collaborations that Nixon Peabody offers. Through Jennifer’s insights, the episode provides a treasure trove of knowledge for those immersed in the nuances of real estate development.

Key Takeaways:

• Legal counsel should be viewed as a strategic resource, not just a cost, especially in preemptively managing potential challenges in real estate development.
• Developing a comprehensive understanding of a client's goals and the full spectrum of a project can significantly mitigate risks and enhance long-term value.
• Nixon Peabody stands out with its commitment to providing holistic legal guidance, integrating nationwide reach with specialized expertise in areas like affordable housing.
• Jennifer Schultz emphasizes the value of pairing legal expertise with industry knowledge, offering clients optimal solutions from entitlement processes to development execution.
• Real estate development is portrayed as an interwoven process where understanding client psychology and building personal relations can stand at par with technical proficiency.

Notable Quotes:

• "I would say the biggest misconception is that we are a cost to be managed as opposed to a resource to be tapped."
• "Think about the last day on the first day. You have to be doing that."
• "In real estate development, you are constantly going in seven different directions, and you have to think like a human in order to manage it."
• "To be a valuable consigliere, you need to study your clients and their businesses."
• "When things aren't going right, go left."

Resources:

• Nixon Peabody LLP Website: Nixon Peab

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