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Wallace Schwartz, Partner, Kasowitz Benson Torres

Q: What are some of your proudest recent achievements?

A: The achievement for which I am most grateful has been the opportunity over the past seven years to work with my partners, Adam Endick, Doug Heitner and Julia Sanabria to build a great transactional real estate practice here at Kasowitz. We've been able to assemble an exceptional group of attorneys and paralegals in the New York and Miami offices, and we've had the great advantage of working with Marc Kasowitz and the experienced team of real estate litigators and bankruptcy attorneys who were already here at Kasowitz. And the best part is that we've had a great time doing all that.

Q: What does it mean to be a leader?

A: In the context of a law firm, being a leader refers to a person who helps determine and implement the best means available to advance and develop the professional careers of his or her colleagues. It involves allocating the right assignments, conveying meaningful and respectful feedback, and setting a good example. And for me, it also entails selecting the right movie for Movie Day (two thumbs up for “Deadpool 2″).

Q: Name a lawyer or mentor whose leadership inspired you.

A: In my first years out of law school, I had an incredible pool of mentors, including Donald Siskind, Benet Polikoff, Susan Rahm, Andy Herz, Jay Neveloff and Randy April. How could I not grow up to be a real estate lawyer? And then, for the next 30 years, I had the continued good fortune of having Ben Needell as my mentor. To this day, every day, I draw upon the lessons all of these people taught me.

Q: How are the business and profession of law changing, and how should lawyers adapt for the future?

A: The legal business has changed a lot as a result of technology; the pace is incredibly accelerated. Who cannot be nostalgic for the cutting and pasting of second drafts, tri-colored carbon copies, and redlining with a ruler and red pen? Fortunately, I started right after Bic fine points replaced quill pens. But really, the profession is still the same; responsiveness and excellent work product will always win the day.

Q: What is the best advice for someone considering a career in law, or someone already in the profession who is seeking to make a greater impact?

A: Follow your heart. There will be setbacks and compromises along the way, but following your gut instead of your head will make for a happier and healthier career. Make the time and effort to find a wonderful person to share it all with (Polikoff, quoting Jim Freund's great book, Lawyering [page 56], told me that it is OK sometimes to end a sentence on a prepositional note). Have fun.