Insights

My Herrick Story: Brett J. Gottlieb

March 25, 2022 – Herrick News
Herrick, Feinstein LLP

Brett J. Gottlieb | bgottlieb@herrick.com | 212 592 1455

What was it about Herrick that enticed you to join the firm?

I called my prior boutique-sized firm home for a period of 15 years. It was a very difficult decision to leave “home,” but I knew it would be best for my career. I was offered opportunities at various mid-size and larger size firms, however Herrick’s focus on business development and marketing resonated with my entrepreneurial spirit. I previously did not have access to an internal business development team which has genuinely helped to raise awareness of my practice and profile both internally and externally. Additionally, working at a firm which boasts a team of the most sophisticated real estate attorneys in New York has allowed me to work on some of the largest development projects in the City of New York.

What surprised you most when you joined Herrick?

The most surprising thing about joining Herrick has been the level of support given to attorneys at all levels. The firm provides resources which allow attorneys to focus 100% on their clients. It may sound routine for a mid-size firm to have this level of support, however I previously did not experience what it meant to have dedicated teams within the firm to resolve matters quickly.

Herrick has a “team first” culture. You can tell that Herrick prides itself not just on recruiting talented attorneys but attorneys with friendly dispositions as my colleagues have embraced my work and practice area. We have attorneys who specialize in all aspects of the real estate deal cycle and can service any real estate related need from a client and therefore  I no longer need to refer out ancillary client needs including transactions, zoning, no-action condominiums and litigation. This is a tremendous advantage for my clients. 

What is your best advice for an attorney coming to Herrick?

My best advice is familiarizing yourself with senior leadership in the department and learn from their experiences. It’s also important to also meet all the support staff at the firm as they will absolutely prove to be invaluable resources during your tenure. I also suggest taking the time to listen to your colleagues. Most of them have been in your shoes before and have sage advice. Always offer to teach your skillset to those who may be unfamiliar or simply beginning their careers. We all learned and were beginners at one point and giving back to the next generation is what ultimately makes all attorneys successful.

What would you want people to know about Herrick and the people that make up the team?

From my first day I have been surrounded by the most talented and dedicated team of real estate attorneys in New York. It is with a sense of pride that I can call these colleagues my partners at law. Belinda Schwartz, our Real Estate Department chair, and a pioneering woman in this field, spent quite a bit of time with me during my on-boarding to Herrick. She is a leader in the truest sense of the word. Mitchell Korbey, chair of our Land Use & Zoning Group, may be the busiest man at Herrick, but he always finds time to speak with me (which is usually daily). Jonathan Adelsberg has been a mentor to me in terms of business development. Besides being an excellent attorney, Jonathan is always positing new ideas to further grow my practice. Finally, Michael Smith and Brendan Schmitt are the reasons I joined the firm. No other firm has a pair of young partner-level attorneys that are this adept and skilled. I feel truly lucky to be working with such a team.


For more information on Brett Gottlieb or real estate tax incentives law at Herrick, please contact:

Brett J. Gottlieb at +1 212 592 1455 or [email protected]

© 2022 Herrick, Feinstein LLP. This alert is provided by Herrick, Feinstein LLP to keep its clients and other interested parties informed of current legal developments that may affect or otherwise be of interest to them. The information is not intended as legal advice or legal opinion and should not be construed as such.