Belinda G. Schwartz

Mrs. Schwartz has more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate and is currently the Executive Chair of the firm, Co-Chair of the Real Estate Department and Partner at Herrick, Feinstein LLP, a multiservice, premier law firm with more than 140 lawyers and offices in different continents. She is a leader and mentor for more than 65 attorneys and urban planners and one of the only women in the country to chair a major commercial real estate practice. One of the industry’s most creative real estate dealmakers, Mrs. Schwartz’s clients value her ability to find common ground in negotiations and achieve a desirable outcome as swiftly as possible. Her clients include prominent developers, owners, funds, investors and family-owned real estate businesses, whom she advises in complex debt and equity transactions including real estate restructurings and workouts; fund formation; property acquisitions and sales; joint ventures; development deals; construction matters; ground leases and commercial leases.

Family-Owned Real Estate Businesses
Mrs. Schwartz serves as outside general counsel to many family-owned real estate businesses, SFOs and MFOs with portfolios valued in excess of $1 billion. In this role, she helps manage a full range of transactional and operational matters, as well as succession, tax and estate planning concerns. Mrs. Schwartz also uses her keen understanding of interpersonal dynamics to resolve conflict, and when necessary,negotiate business divorces.

International Investors
Mrs. Schwartz has significant experience representing foreign investors from China, Israel, Turkey and South America, who are looking to invest in commercial real estate in the U.S., either as principals, mezzanine investors or preferred equity providers. Navigating cultural differences and different business practices, she helps to demystify the intricacies of the market for foreign investors. Mrs. Schwartz has consistently been ranked one of New York City’s leading real estate lawyers by Chambers USA, Legal 500, Best Lawyers in America, Crain's New York Business, National Law Journal, New York Business Journal, GlobeSt., City & State, AMNY/Politics NY, Real Estate Weekly, Bisnow, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers and Real Estate Forum.

Education
·New York University School of Law (J.D., 1983) ·Barnard College

Recognitions and Accolades
·Chambers USA - Real Estate (2018-2022)
·Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Real Estate (2021, 2022)
·New York Business Journal, Women of Influence (2022)
·AMNY / PoliticsNY Real Estate and Development Power Players (2022)
·GlobeSt.Real Estate Forum, Women of Influence (2022)
·The Best Lawyers in America© - Real Estate Law (2022 & 2023)
·City & State, The Law Power 100 (2020 - 2022)
·Crain's New York Business, Notable Women in Law (2021)
·Crain's New York Business, Notable in Real Estate (2021)
·Real Estate Weekly Leading Lady (2018, 2021)
·Thomson Reuters New York Metro Super Lawyers - Real Estate (2008 - 2022)
·National Law Journal, Trailblazers Real Estate/Construction Law (2020)
·Real Estate Weekly Real Estate Dealmaker (2019)
·Bisnow New York Power Woman (2016, 2018, 2019)
·Champion for Change Award, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Justice (2019)
·Crain's New York Business, Leading Women Lawyers in New York City (2017)
·New York Real Estate Journal Executive of the Month (2015)
·Real Estate Forum Woman of Influence (2008, 2009)


Memberships & Associations
·Legal Outreach, Advisory Board
·Real Women of Real Estate, Founder
·Professional Real Estate Forum (PREF), Board Member
·Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), Member
·WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate, Member ·TAGLaw®, Member
·American Bar Association, Member