The USC Gould School of Law Real Estate Law and Business Forum recently presented its annual Lifetime Achievement Award to Susan J. Booth of Holland & Knight LLP and Ira Waldman of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP.
Both received their awards at a dinner preceding the annual Real Estate Law and Business Forum held in downtown Los Angeles in late February. Booth and Waldman join a distinguished group of professionals recognized as industry leaders who have made significant contributions to real estate, business, and/or the legal practice.
Waldman has served on the Real Estate Law and Business Forum Planning Committee since 2003 when the Forum was partnered with the Crocker Symposium (2003-2007). Preceding Waldman’s award, Adam Weissburg (Cox, Castle & Nicholson), highlighted his impact on the committee. Weissburg noted Waldman’s enthusiasm for teaching and helping others by sharing his wisdom.
When he received his award, Waldman acknowledged his love of his career and the opportunity to connect with others. “My mother pushed me to go into real estate,” said Waldman in closing, noting her recent passing. “I know that my mom is the proudest mom right now.”
Booth currently serves as co-chair of the Real Estate Law and Business Forum alongside Glenn Sonnenberg (LaSalle Debt Investors), and is a frequent panelist at the Forum. Her participation in the Forum also began in 2003, and she took over as co-chair for the 2019 Forum after the retirement of Phillip Nichols (Pircher, Nichols & Meeks).
Sonnenberg noted Booth worked hard to diversify the real estate practice and has mentored many, especially women, along the way. “Susan is a force to be reckoned with in real estate,” he said. In her acceptance speech, Booth said, “I remember the days when I would go to conferences and it would be myself, Pam Westhoff, and two other females in a room full of men. Look at us now!”
Previous recipients include Michael Meyer (Glaser Weil), Rick Caruso (Caruso), Glenn Sonnenberg (LaSalle Debt Investors), Thomas Safran (Thomas Safran & Associates), Amy Forbes (Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher), Pamela Westhoff (Sheppard Mullin), Stan Gold (Shamrock Holdings), and Patricia Sinclair (Lincoln Property Company) and Richard Ziman (Rexford Industrial Realty).
Read Ira Waldman’s full bio here and Susan Booth’s full bio here.
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