December 6, 2002

Real estate panel focuses on opportunities for students

Nine prominent real estate professionals discussed their careers and an swered questions November 7 as part of the "Who's At The Table? A Panel Discussion With the Key Players in a Real Estate Deal," sponsored by the newly-chartered Real Estate Society at the School of Law.

Law faculty, staff, and students attended the premiere event. Questions ranged from the probability of affording a house when saddled with a substantial loan debt for law school, to opportunities for law students in the real estate development industry.

"Development companies need people with expertise gained either through experience in the real estate industry or a legal education," said Hal Fairbanks, a project manager with Historic Restoration Incorporated. Loan Officer Brandi Whiteman stressed the importance of a good credit rating when buying a house.

Panel members included Carl Little, attorney with Delta Title Corporation; Stephen Broussard, a real estate attorney with Curtis Mathis and an adjunct professor at Loyola; Mitchell Crusto, professor of business and property law and faculty adviser to the Real Estate Law Society; Elmwood Cahill, a partner in the New Orleans firm of Sher Garner Cahill; Ro Mayer, veteran realtor with Latter & Blum Inc./Realtors; Brandi Whiteman, a loan officer with the Essential Mortgage Company; Jack Stumpf, a realtor/developer and owner of jack Stumpf & Associates; and Hal Fairbanks, a project manager with Historic Restoration Incorporated.

The Real Estate Society, chartered October 15, 2002, promotes education of issues involving New Orleans real estate and opportunities for students in the real estate industry. The society has become the largest organization at the School of Law with 60 paid charter members governed by a 10-member executive board. Visit the website at www.therealestatelawsociety.org.