Leslie Byrd has more than 20 years of private and public sector experience in real estate and community development. Mrs. Byrd has represented government agencies, banks and other private companies, not-for-profit entities and individuals in the acquisition, leasing, disposition and financing of office buildings, shopping centers, gasoline service stations, mixed-use properties, vacant land and residential properties, including co-operative apartments and condominiums.
Mrs. Byrd's background includes posts as senior counsel/vice president at the Empire State Development Corporation (where she managed a $36-million statewide revolving loan fund for minority and women-owned businesses), senior counsel at Phillips Petroleum (a Fortune 100 corporation) and general counsel at the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal. In addition, she provided counsel to the Harlem Community Development Corporation with respect to commercial and multi-family residential projects.
Bar and Court Admissions
New York, 1984
Education
Harvard University, J.D., 1983
Harvard University, B.A., 1979
Speeches and Seminars
- Panelist, "ABC’s of Office Space", New York City Bar Association Seminar, November 2005
Professional Affiliations
- Women in Housing & Finance, Inc. – Member
Civic Involvement and Honors
- The Development and Finishing Institute(Harlem-based non-profit corporation providing training in etiquette, entrepreneurship, money management and music/art appreciation to girls aged 5 to 18) – Board of Directors