What are Hofstra Law Alumni doing 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years after law school? We’re highlighting a few alumni from this year’s reunion classes. Take a moment to get a glimpse into what they have been doing since graduation from Hofstra Law.
Leslie Feifer ’94 is a Partner at Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran, LLP, where she concentrates her practice in commercial and residential real estate law. She has taught as an adjunct and special professor of law at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and volunteers her time mentoring law students. She is also active in numerous professional, business, and charitable organizations.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law and attend Hofstra Law?
I had been working as a paralegal in a large law firm for nearly two years after college and realized that I wanted to pursue my law degree when I saw how many more opportunities were available with a law degree. I lived on Long Island, liked the curriculum offered by Hofstra Law and believed it would match my goals, which it did.
What is your area of expertise and how did you get your start in this area?
I concentrate my practice in all aspects of commercial real estate, which truly encompasses a lot of things. After graduating law school, I worked in a general practice firm and had minimal commercial real estate experience; however, I had worked on a lot of cooperative apartment residential resales in Manhattan, which I enjoyed. I applied for a position in commercial real estate with that background and never looked back.
Is there a specific professor or mentor that had a significant influence on you during your time at Hofstra Law?
My greatest mentor was always my father. He inspired me to aim for the stars, strive for the best I could be and motivated me to continue when things got tough. However, I did enjoy the classes I attended and the professors who taught them during my time at Hofstra Law.
What is the single most rewarding/exciting experience in your career thus far?
Tough question. It’s been 30 years as an attorney, so I have had a lot of rewarding experiences in that time frame. I love the fact that I am constantly learning. I would say many of my most rewarding experiences have been the ability to assist people to purchase, sell or lease all different types of real estate which begins a new adventure for them. I love the excitement and preparation that people experience for their upcoming venture, whether it be purchasing a new home for their family or selling or purchasing a new property for their business.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges for lawyers today?
Managing client expectations; keeping up with ever evolving technology and technology’s impact on work to be performed; balancing quality results for clients with cost effectiveness.
What advice would you offer today to current law students and recent graduates?
I have mentored a lot of law students and recent graduates. I always say and believe that there is no substitute for hard work. If you show up, work hard, stick with it and give it your all, everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. You may not see it at the time but in all these years that I have been practicing, that has been the majority of what I have seen.
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