Part of what makes Sullivan such a unique place is our people, so we'd like to introduce you to some of them in a series of posts. We asked associates around the firm why they chose Sullivan and what their experiences have been like since joining us.
Emily Brewer is a real estate associate in Sullivan's Boston office. Her practice focuses on all aspects of commercial real estate law, representing clients in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development, debt and equity financing, as well as lenders and borrowers in loan transactions.
Why did you choose Sullivan?
I chose Sullivan to get the best of both worlds – I wanted the opportunity to work on high-level matters that a big firm would offer, but with the culture and intimacy of a smaller firm. I was also attracted to the first-year program. I appreciated being able to gather experience in different areas before deciding what type of law I wanted to practice long term.
Has your experience been what you expected?
My experience has been better than expected. Having spent most of my life as a student doomed to read textbooks and write papers mostly by myself, I was surprised to find how collaborative the practice of law is, particularly here at Sullivan. I also continue to be impressed by how welcoming and supportive people at all levels are. When I am staffed on a deal in my department, I am treated as a valued member of the team. Attorneys are often open to new ideas and solutions when issues arise, and there is a lot of work that happens across departments, allowing us to work with and learn from a variety of attorneys throughout the firm. I also think being in a smaller environment allows relationships to flourish in a way I didn’t expect. Especially among associates and support staff, we really rely on each other on a day-to day basis. As a result, we end up building solid working relationships as well as friendships that make work that much more enjoyable.
Did you consider another firm? If so, which one(s) and why?
After finishing my 1L year, I considered firms of many different sizes and in a range of cities. I think there was some pressure during the OCI process to focus on the biggest firms out there, but I was concerned the large class sizes would be overwhelming and make it harder for me to establish myself as a junior associate. I also found that most of the firms wanted me to commit right away to a certain practice group. After just one year of law school, I felt some trepidation making such a big decision without a lot of knowledge or experience, and I was much more comfortable with the flexibility offered by Sullivan’s first-year program.
How is/was the first-year program?
When I started the first-year program, I had been thinking about practicing in an entirely different area than where I ended up. I didn’t have any background in real estate law or experience doing transactional work, and I was happily surprised by how interesting I found the work and how great a fit the department was. When it was time to be permanently placed in a department, I was able to make an informed decision that I felt confident about. I also really enjoyed rotating through the different departments and getting to know the people who work in them. Thanks to my experiences as a first year, I have great relationships with people throughout the firm. I always know who to call if I need to consult on an issue or have a question about an area of law outside my practice.
What makes Sullivan different from other firms?I think Sullivan’s size and the people who work here are what make the firm special. As a third-year associate, I regularly work one-on-one with partners and am often responsible for communicating with our clients directly. Because our deal teams are small, I typically get to be involved in every aspect of the process, which allows me to learn the practice and develop a variety of skills at a faster rate. I also feel like my department is invested in my professional development. Everyone I have worked with has always been happy to answer questions and take the time to explain concepts and practices that are new to me, and attorneys also make an effort to ensure I am getting a variety of experiences and building the skills I need to succeed as a real estate attorney.
What have you been working on lately?
Every day is a little bit different, which keeps things interesting. In the last few days, I’ve worked on revising a purchase and sale agreement for an office building, drafting a lease for a doctor’s office, summarizing easement agreements affecting a property our client is acquiring, and reviewing mortgages for a multi-state financing. All of these matters have involved direct client contact, and I feel like every day I learn something new about the practice that helps me develop as an attorney.
