AUSTIN – Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Partner Jane Snoddy Smith has been selected as the national president-elect of the Commercial Real Estate Women Network, a professional organization committed to advancing the success of women in commercial real estate.

Jane Snoddy Smith
Partner
Austin

Smith has long been involved in CREW, which formed in the 1980s to bring together women involved in commercial real estate for professional development and networking. Smith recently was selected by her peers to become the organization’s national president-elect in January and will remain in that role for a year before taking over as the organization’s president in 2009.

"Jane is a real estate lawyer whose dedication to our organization, her clients and her profession is second-to-none," said Gail Ayers, CREW’s chief executive officer. "We are fortunate to have a genuine leader like Jane positioned to take the helm of our organization. She is a true role model and knows what it takes to lead our organization as we continue to make an impact in the commercial real estate industry. Leading one of the fastest growing industry associations takes vision and talent, and Jane brings both to CREW Network."

The network helps women in real estate create an environment that promotes their skill and success, creates member-to-member business opportunities and serves as a resource for information about the industry and the advancement of women in commercial real estate.

"CREW has been a vital networking organization for women involved in commercial real estate evidenced by the 7,621 members who actively participate in 65 chapters across North America," Smith said. "CREW was the first organization to bring together over 20 different disciplines needed to ‘do the deal.’ We have become a catalyst for change within the industry and our members represent the standard of excellence and professionalism needed for today’s complex real estate transactions."

Among the change CREW seeks to bring about is the creation of a more diverse workforce, which "we think is essential for the future success of our members, their companies, and our industry," Smith added.

As a founding member of CREW Austin, which was formed in 2002, Smith served as the chapter’s president in 2005. She began her association with CREW in St. Louis, where she lived and worked for many years. Smith has served many roles in CREW Network, as a 2007 Board member, the 2006 Chair of the Recognition Committee, and a member of the Network Programs Committee for the organization’s 2005 convention in Seattle.

At Fulbright, Smith helps lead the firm’s multi-disciplinary retail industry group, chairs a client service team and participates in Fulbright’s Women’s Initiative Network and minority mentoring group. Smith is also an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, where she helped organize the Next Generation Initiative for the Law Conference and serves as 2007 co-chair. She is a frequent speaker and contributor of articles to professional publications, in addition to being selected as a finalist for the 2007 Austin Business Journal "Profiles in Power."

"Jane excels at finding creative solutions for clients," said Terry Tottenham, who heads Fulbright’s Austin office. "She uses her boundless energy to support not only their initiatives, but also the success of her colleagues and her friends. We are so very proud of Jane’s accomplishments as a lawyer and as a mentor to young women who hope to follow in her footsteps. We are delighted she has been selected to lead such an impressive and important international business organization."

The chance to lead CREW is an honor Smith relishes.

"Becoming involved in CREW has given me an opportunity to recognize the individual achievements of so many of our members and to demonstrate the value and professionalism we bring to commercial real estate transactions," Smith said. "We know that diversity in the workplace makes good business sense. CREW Network is working to educate and raise this awareness in the commercial real estate sector and in corporate America overall."

Smith has been a partner at Fulbright since 2002. She represents banking institutions, real estate investment trusts, healthcare institutions, national insurance companies, pension fund advisors, national real estate developers and department store retailers as part of Fulbright’s extensive commercial real estate practice.

Fulbright has represented clients in connection with all facets of the acquisition, disposition, financing, development, leasing and operation of all types of real property from office buildings to sports stadiums, urban mixed-use projects to resort facilities, and hospitals to manufacturing facilities. Lawyers involved in Fulbright’s real estate practice group advise clients routinely about land use, zoning, platting, permitting and have handled multi-state and international transactions.