NY Daily Record Since 1908
John A. Anderson
Partner, Real Estate Practice Group Leader, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Years in current role: 25
What do you enjoy most about practicing real estate law?
I enjoy working collaboratively with clients to achieve practical, efficient and common-sense legal solutions to what are often complex real estate, business and transactional matters. I also very much enjoy the opportunity of playing a part in the mentoring and professional development of younger lawyers.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve dealt with over the past year?
2021 was a very busy time for commercial real estate attorneys. The pandemic continued to impact commercial real estate matters as did anticipated policy changes resulting from the 2020 elections. All of this resulted in a very high volume of both commercial real estate transactions and other novel real estate legal matters. 2021 required commercial real estate attorneys to be creative and to “think outside of the box” — which was challenging and fun.
What do you see as the biggest changes in real estate law in the next 3-5 years?
The e-recording of conveyance documents will become the norm and all other aspects of the real estate settlement process will continue to become more and more electronic and web-based. This will increase efficiency and facilitate quick and cost-effective closings but with a corresponding focus on cybersecurity for the avoidance of fraud.
What community organizations do you support as a volunteer and why?
Of the many community organizations that I support, I have a special place in my heart for the educational missions of both Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women and McQuaid Jesuit High School. Both schools have played a profound part in my life and in the life of my immediate and extended family and are important and positive assets of this community.
What is one personal goal you have for the next year?
One goal that I have is to move beyond the pandemic and to grow based upon the experiences garnered from it.
