Herrick, Feinstein Names First Female Executive Chair
In her new role as Herrick’s Executive Chair, Belinda Schwartz shares her vision and priorities for the firm with the New York Law Journal.
Belinda succeeds Irwin A. Kishner, who has served as Herrick’s Executive Chair since 2010. Irwin noted that Belinda was “the natural and overwhelming choice” to lead the firm.
“It has been my privilege to serve as the executive chair of the firm and to guide a team of remarkable professionals for the past 13 years,” Irwin continued. “I am proud of what the firm has accomplished during this time and enthusiastic about our future.” Irwin will continue as a member of the executive committee and will remain as co-chair of Herrick's nationally recognized Sports Law Practice.
Belinda reflected, “It’s a good time for others, whether they are women or other people who don’t necessarily see a path up the chain, to really believe that it can be done." She added, “It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of luck, but it can be done. I hope it’s helpful to women and others to realize that they can succeed at the top.”
“I was honored and a bit anxious,” Belinda explained. “It’s a big responsibility. It’s something I never anticipated happening in my life... When you’re asked, you don’t say no.”
Belinda will continue to co-chair Herrick's Real Estate Department along with Jonathan Adelsberg. Belinda described the real estate practice as a “big part of the brand of the firm.”
As Herrick Executive Chair, Belinda said that her priorities are to ensure lawyers at the firm provide “exceptional” services to clients while continuing to grow profits and maintaining a positive firm culture.
“The financial community and real estate community are having a moment. These are unusual times. We came off of COVID, which itself was very unusual. We learned to adjust, but now we’re facing different kinds of concerns that we all need to be aware of. People are working differently, interest rates are higher, and there are concerns about bank volatility and health of the financial community. It’s going to be bumpy this year,” Belinda concluded.
Read the full article in the New York Law Journal here. Access may require a subscription.