Holland & Knight's Diane McDermott and Janis Schiff Named "Women of Influence" in Commercial Real Estate

MIAMI (July 27, 2020) – Holland & Knight Attorneys Diane McDermott and Janis Schiff have been recognized as two of commercial real estate's "Women of Influence" by GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, a leading industry publication. Only 18 attorneys are among the almost 200 commercial real estate professionals selected for this honor based on their career achievements, community outreach and mentorship within the industry.

Ms. McDermott, who serves as the executive partner of Holland & Knight's Boston office, co-chairs the firm's National Retail Development and Leasing Team with Ms. Schiff. In a profile published in the July/August issue, GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum notes that she is considered "one of the leading leasing attorneys in Massachusetts" and "works on some of the biggest deals in the market." This includes representing Norwich Partners in a ground lease deal for the development of a 24-story hotel in the Boston Theater District and representing Northland Investment Corp. in the $96 million refinance of a mixed-use project.

Ms. Schiff is a partner in Holland &Knight's Washington, D.C., office. She has been representing property owners, asset managers and investors in real estate matters across asset classes for almost 40 years and, according to GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, "has compiled a long list of accolades." The publication reports that Ms. Schiff represents both domestic and foreign clients including BIG Shopping Centers USA and ALTO Real Estate Funds. Some of her most significant deals include the $1.5 billion Wharf development in Washington and a $650 million Midtown Center mixed-use project.

With more than 280 lawyers and professionals nationally, Holland & Knight's Real Estate Section is one of the largest of any U.S. law firm. U.S. News - Best Lawyers named Holland & Knight the "2017 Law Firm of the Year" in real estate law.