Biography
Real Estate Transactions: Jodi represents clients in sophisticated and multifaceted real estate transactions, including long-term leases, purchases and sales of property, joint ventures, and development projects. She helps clients navigate the complex statutory approval process required of not-for-profit corporations and religious corporations for the sale and other disposition of real property, including petitioning the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Not-for-Profit Corporate Governance: Jodi regularly counsels clients on the intricate regulations applicable to tax-exempt entities. She advises on organizational formation, drafting and updating governing documents, board compliance, mergers, dissolutions, and securing and maintaining real property tax exemptions.
A Mission-Driven Approach: Clients value working with Jodi because she genuinely appreciates and understands the importance of their mission. This insight shapes the legal counsel she delivers, ensuring it is mission-focused and provides the critical and strategic guidance they need to navigate the regulatory landscape governing tax-exempt entities. Jodi serves as counsel to numerous denominational bodies, individual congregations, and not-for-profit organizations.
Education and Early Career: Jodi started her career at a leading international law firm, where she represented developers, corporations, partnerships, and private equity in real estate transactions, commercial lending, and project finance. She earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where she was an associate editor of the Cardozo Law Review.
Recognition and Memberships: Jodi has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2017-2024 and received the not-for-profit Trailblazers Award in 2023 and 2024. She is a member of the New York City Bar – Non-Profit Organizations Committee, and the Government Relations Council of not-for-profit New York.
Education
- J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (magna cum laude)
- B.A., Pennsylvania State University
- 2024 not-for-profit Trailblazers Award
- 2024 Super Lawyer
- 2023 not-for-profit Trailblazers Award
- 2023 Super Lawyer
- 2022 NYREJ’s Women in Professional Services
- 2022 Super Lawyer
- 2021 Super Lawyer & Rising Star
- 2020 Super Lawyer & Rising Star
- 2019 Super Lawyer
- 2018 Super Lawyer
- 2017 Super Lawyer
Publications & Presentations
Presentations
- June 6, 2024 “Future of Work: Navigating Real Estate as a not-for-profit” – The 10th Annual not-for-profit OpCon
- February 28, 2024 “Responsibilities and Expectations for Serving on a not-for-profit Board” – The not-for-profit BoardCon
- June 15, 2023 “Navigating Real Estate and Workspace as a not-for-profit” – The 9th Annual not-for-profit OpCon Panel
- May 4, 2023 “Shared Space – Best Practices to Protect your Property and Organization” – Religious/Not-for-Profit Organizations
- January 10, 2023 “Guide to Facility and Use Agreements” Webinar
- November 10, 2022: “Practical Legal Tips to Running Your (Religious) Corporation” – Interchurch Center Conference
- November 9, 2022 “Building the Health, Wealth, and Sustainability of the not-for-profit Workforce” – The Westchester not-for-profit OpCon
- June 9, 2022 “Navigating Real Estate as a Not-for-Profit” – Nonpofit OpCon
- February 15, 2022 “What Trustees Must Know About the Sale, Lease, and Other Dispositions of Church Properties” – Webinar
- November 11, 2021: “Assembling a Team: What Church Leaders Must Know Before Selling, Buying, or Leasing Church Property”
- October 21, 2021: “Assessing the Health of your not-for-profit – The 2nd Annual Virtual not-for-profit Checkup”
- March 23, 2021: “What Not-for-Profit & Religious Corporations Need to Know: Attorney General and Supreme Court Approval for Real Estate Transactions”
- March 4, 2021: “Due Diligence For Not-For-Profit & Religious Corporations Preparing For A Real Estate Transaction”
- September 15, 2020: “Use & Occupancy and Lease Agreements: What Not-for-Profit & Religious Corporations Need to Know”
- April 7, 2020: “Navigating the Paycheck Protection Program: A Guide for Non-Profit and Religious Organizations”
- November 8, 2018: “Interchurch Center Conference”, Jodi moderated the panel “Understanding Project Feasibility & Potential Deal Structure”
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October 9, 2018: “Mission Driven Development” – Practical Resources for Churches (PRC) Webinar
- October 3, 2018: Building Brooklyn Right, a faith-based development forum for houses of worship – Panelist