Michael J. Ringrose

Daily Record Staff//March 17, 2022//

Michael J. Ringrose

Managing Partner, Gallo & Iacovangelo, LLP

Years in current role: 20

What do you enjoy most about practicing real estate law?

I have been representing clients in the purchase and sale of their homes since I began practicing law. Whether my clients were buying their personal residence, investment property or as part of their business, I found it interesting and rewarding. Generally this type of transaction is not adversarial and at the conclusion both parties walk away accomplishing their goals. Being a part of the team of professionals assisting in this process has always appealed to me.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve dealt with over the past year?

The past two years were the most challenging I have faced in my career. The pandemic created an environment totally foreign to everyone. Because of the in-person nature of a large portion of our practice, we had to find ways to remain open and simultaneously provide a safe environment for our staff and clients. Roughly half of our employees continued to come into the office every day. We implemented a number of policies and procedures that helped keep everyone safe and morale high while handling a record number of real estate transactions. We were extremely fortunate to have such a hardworking and dedicated staff.

What do you see as the biggest changes in real estate law in the next 3-5 years?

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the practice of law, from the traditional law firm setting to how individual services are provided. Changes in technology, necessitated by the need for social distancing, have allowed for lawyers and employees to work remotely. Phone and video conferencing has emerged as a viable option for client meetings and court appearances. While these changes may provide convenience to the parties, they present an additional challenge — how to ensure the continued development of the attorney-client relationship in an environment of decreasing in-person meetings and face-to-face conversations.