DC's Next Big Real Estate Law Firm?
Wendy White and Betsy Karmin were part of a big wave of young real estate lawyers at Shaw Pittman (now Pillsbury) in the '80s. After going their separate ways, the two have teamed up again at the DC office of Atlanta-based Morris Manning & Martin to launch a real estate practice.
Yesterday, we snapped Wendy and Betsy in their 1401 Eye St office. After Betsy left Shaw Pittman for other firms (including DLA Piper, most recently), and Wendy stayed put, the two kept in touch through organizations like CREW. (They're both past presidents.) But as each began to search for more flexibility in their roles, teaming up at Morris Manning emerged as the right move. "We hadn't set out to move together, but we have similar practices," says Betsy, noting that land use is really the only area she and Wendy haven't worked in over the years.
They officially started last week. Morris Manning is already one of the top real estate law firms in Atlanta, according to Bisnow's Atlanta-based reporter, Jarred Schenke. The duo is actively hiring, Betsy says. As for their views on the market, Wendy and Betsy say expect to see mixed-use projects continue to pop up, though "It's tough for our clients to find stuff to buy right now," Wendy says.
