What is something about you that fellow ACC SoCal members might be surprised to know?
I quit a law firm job less than four years after graduating from law school to spend several months backpacking through South America with my college roommate. When he and I were in La Paz, Bolivia we mountain biked down “El Camino de La Muerte.” It was described as the world’s most dangerous road. It was the main route from the Amazon Forest to La Paz and at the time 200-300 people died per year on that road, often from driving over the sheer cliffs. We started the ride more than 10,000 feet above sea level, beside glaciers perched on mountains above La Paz, and descended several thousand feet into a tropical rain forest over a super narrow road with no guard rails, often alongside big trucks. Not smart, but it was memorable!
Where do you work? What is the coolest thing about your work?
I am the General Counsel for Everest Properties, a private real estate company headquartered in Pasadena. Everest owns multifamily, self-storage, and retail properties throughout the United States.
Two former attorneys founded Everest in the early 1990s to pursue an innovative real estate acquisition model. Based on their experiences, they realized that Everest’s attorneys could do much more than simply advise on legal matters. With their encouragement I started a subsidiary company to acquire fractional ownership interests in real estate through bankruptcy sales. I also managed retail shopping centers on behalf of the company. Participating in business roles has been exciting and fulfilling. It also allowed me to feel, first-hand, the frustrations of relying on outside parties to make informed decisions about the business. As a result, I empathize more with the business people and hopefully offer more practical legal advice.
Why did you join ACC and what is the best part about being an ACC Member?
Several years ago, I interviewed for a position at another company. The General Counsel at that company was incredibly bright and accomplished. During the course of the interview she spoke glowingly about the several high profile roles she had held within the ACC and recommended that I join. Shortly after the interview I signed up to be an ACC member and volunteered to be on the Board for the Real Estate Network.
I am thrilled to now serve on the Board for the ACC SoCal Chapter. Joining ACC has provided me with access to leadership opportunities, useful legal resources, legal referrals from other members, and volunteer opportunities to assist community members in a legal and non-legal capacity. It sounds cheesy, but definitely the best part of my ACC journey has been the people I’ve met along the way.
When you aren’t practicing law, what are you doing?
I swim with the Rose Bowl Masters team a few times a week. Also, I started hiking during the pandemic. Hiking is an amazing tool for problem solving. I’m able to frame problems differently and arrive at more creative solutions during or after a long hike. I don’t know why but it works. I also plan to incorporate long hikes into future travel. My wife and I hope to walk either the Kumano Kodo Trail in Japan or a portion of the South West Coast Path in England within the next few years.
Do you have a favorite motto or quote?
I have two teenagers at home. Sometimes they look like they’ve got the weight of the world on their shoulders. They don’t listen, of course, but I like to tell them “Don’t take yourself so seriously. You’re just a monkey with a plan.” It’s a good reminder for me too.
Learn more about ACC Membership Benefits: https://www.acc.com/membership.
