My Herrick Story: Michael H. Kessel
Michael H. Kessel | [email protected] | (212) 592-1502
What was it about Herrick that enticed you to rejoin the firm?
I originally joined Herrick as an associate in 2003 and basically grew up as a lawyer here. I was trained in complex tax law, and I learned how to manage client relationships and work with attorneys at all levels. For a time, I even chaired the Tax Department. Several years ago, a client of the firm asked me to come work with them to set up a real estate investment fund, which was really just another step in the ladder of long client relationships. While I was working at the fund, I maintained an exceptional connection with Herrick, both personally and professionally, and referred clients to Herrick often. I have enjoyed a long relationship with Herrick, and I am very happy to be back at the firm working with so many friends and colleagues.
While I enjoyed working at the fund, a career is long, and I missed working on a team of bright lawyers who understand real estate deals and specifically the way tax and real estate law work in tandem. After the fund ran its course, it felt like the time was right for me to return to working with a trusted group of professionals that I deeply respected. I had to return to Herrick.
How does the flexibility of a mid-sized firm with a deep bench like Herrick accommodate your clients?
Herrick is unique in that there is a trophy Real Estate department with decades of real estate relationships and experience, and a full-service national Tax practice. As a tax lawyer with real estate clients, Herrick is the place to be. Herrick’s real estate experience is on par with the very top of the Am Law 100, but clients know who is working on their deals, who they are dealing with, and how the deal team functions on each transaction. My clients greatly value that, and I love that Herrick can offer a huge array of services with very high-touch service.
Who have been your greatest "Herrick supporters" and who have you partnered most with at Herrick during your tenure?
Being at Herrick for so long and creating long and meaningful relationships with the firm’s professionals cannot be understated. I was able to attain the skills and success that took me through the many stages of my career because of the legal training that I received at Herrick, and I am both the lawyer and business professional that I am today because of my time at the firm. I was careful not to lose touch with the team because these are the people with whom I knew I wanted to continue working in the long term.
I have had an open line of communication with Herrick attorneys for over 25 years and have many close personal and professional relationships, including Christina Ying and Louis Goldberg, but it is Belinda Schwartz, Jonathan Adelsberg and Louis Tuchman who have facilitated my return to the Tax Department. I am very much looking forward to working together once again and to seeing what’s next for my practice at Herrick.
For more information on Michael Kessel, tax law or real estate law at Herrick, please contact:
Michael H. Kessel at +1 412 806 3171 or [email protected].
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