The Leader - January/February 2008 - (Page 57) “ We deal with business and workplace strategy, site selection, lease negotiation, construction management, design, ongoing landlord communications, lease audits, rent payments, everything. ” That’s what happened in Skadden’s case. The firm had grown large enough to need an internal CRE organization, so Heidelberger was tapped in 2001 to build and lead it. Since then, at least two other large law firms have appointed corporate real estate directors, she adds. Heidelberger’s team handles all Skadden’s real estate needs, from soup to nuts. “We deal with business and workplace strategy, site selection, lease negotiation, construction management, design, ongoing landlord communications, lease audits, rent payments, everything,” she explains. The team includes three real estate managers (Cynthia Leung, Kenny Rodriguez and Ti Chen), a construction manager (Jeff Kunak), two real estate analysts, (Crystal Jewel Akens and Robert Mewborn), and a real estate administrator. All are based in New York City. “We work in teams,” she emphasizes. “We mix and match and try to always have at least two real estate managers on every project.” Heidelberger also frequently works with many of Skadden’s 90 real estate attorneys worldwide, who represent, among others, developers, lenders, investment banks, pension funds, real estate investment trusts, domestic and foreign investors and major corporations in connection with real estaterelated transactions. At any given time a dozen or more projects are active. “So we do rely on local experts and bring them in as needed,” she adds. Key decision makers (and crucial touch points for Heidelberger and her team) include the Executive Partner, the Managing Director (to whom Heidelberger reports), and the Policy Committee. It takes unique strategic, analytical and persuasive skills to deliver productive yet profitable places to work for Skadden’s legal professionals around the world. On any given day, Suzanne could be delivering great places to work from New York to Paris to Hong Kong to Moscow. It takes leadership, creativity and a bit of entrepreneurship to make it happen in an environment of fast growth. “Also, due to the partnership structure, I have 450 bosses with 450 views on where our staff should work and how much we are willing to pay for it,” Suzanne quips. strategic approach, asset management principles The mission and vision for CRE are tied to the operations of the firm. “The real estate department works together with the key decision makers to provide strategic direction for the firm. We treat the real estate portfolio as an asset of the firm, managing the firm’s real estate so our lawyers can manage the business,” Heidelberger says. 2 0 0 8 the le ade r 57 J aN Ua rY / F e B rUa r Y
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