Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced that Beth Zafonte, director of economic development services with the Real Estate Practice Group, has been appointed to the board of WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate, an invitation‐only association of executive‐level women in commercial real estate.
In this role, Zafonte will oversee the operational and financial management of the organization during her three-year term. She will also play a key part in the educational and mentoring programs, as well as special events, which are designed to advance the success of women in commercial real estate and enhance public perception about the role of women in the industry.
Zafonte has more than 30 years of experience in the practice of economic development incentives throughout the United States representing a broad range of national and locally based private developers, various Fortune 500 corporations, and manufacturing concerns on a national basis. She represents both public and privately held companies, as well as institutions, in connection with location and real estate decisions specifically related to determining eligibility for, and the procurement of, economic development incentives and real estate financing. She has been involved in projects that have utilized more than $3 billion worth of incentives.
Among her several community and professional engagements, Zafonte also is a member of the Association to Invest in USA (IIUSA) and sits on the association's building committee. As an IIUSA member, Zafonte supports the organization's efforts to promote investments in regional centers based on the federal Immigrant Investor Program, also known as EB-5. Further, she also is a member of the economic development committee of the Real Estate Board of New York.
About Akerman LLP
Akerman LLP is a leading transactions and trial law firm known for its core strengths in middle market M&A, within the financial services and real estate industries, and for a diverse Latin America practice. With more than 600 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 20 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The National Law Journal NLJ 350 (2014). Akerman also is ranked among the top 50 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2014).
The Akerman Real Estate Practice Group offers comprehensive and fully integrated project counsel services to clients across the United States and in Latin America. With substantial industry experience and prominent local presence, Akerman represents clients in complex real estate transactions and financings, development and redevelopment projects, public private initiatives and litigation. Recognized as a national tier one law firm for Real Estate Law by U.S. News - Best Lawyers, the group advises investors, developers, builders, lenders, retailers, owners and corporate end users, often in high profile matters.
More information can be found at akerman.com or twitter.com/akerman_law.
About WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate
WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate is an invitation‐only association of executive‐level women actively engaged in the commercial real estate industry in New York. The mission of WX is to promote the advancement of women in commercial real estate; to enhance public perception about the role of women in the industry, and to promote the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and integrity in the field. Through educational seminars, breakfasts with industry leaders, mentoring programs, scholarships and special events, WX provides members with a forum for visibility and exchange, spotlights the accomplishments of individual women in the industry and paves the way for the next generation of women in the field.
For more information, please visit wxnyre.org.