We are thrilled to launch our new Alumni Spotlight Q&A series, an initiative designed to celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of our distinguished alumni. Through this series, we aim to reconnect with our former colleagues, share their inspiring career journeys, and highlight the invaluable experiences they have gained along the way.
In our inaugural feature, we are proud to spotlight Pelayo Coll, who has achieved significant professional success. Pelayo currently serves as the Deputy General Counsel at Morgan Properties, where he leads critical transactions and ensures seamless execution of business operations. With a rich career history, including his tenure as a partner at Blank Rome and co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice group, Pelayo's insights and experiences inspire and inform.
Join us as we delve into Pelayo's journey, his reflections on career growth, and his advice for attorneys early in their careers.
Was there an individual (or individuals) at Blank Rome who played an especially important mentoring role for you during your time at the firm?
I was very lucky to have had many mentor relationships at Blank Rome. Craig Lord and Barry Friedman taught me the importance of being a careful draftsman and to think through words carefully. Alan Zeiger and Gary Goldenberg taught me the importance of relationship building and client service. Alan Hoffman and Grant Palmer taught me the importance of the partnership and keeping each other accountable as well as acknowledged. Lastly, the entire Real Estate practice group kept me grounded and allowed me to enjoy the practice of law.
What is the most useful thing you learned from your time with Blank Rome?
The most useful thing was to approach the practice of law with an entrepreneurial mindset. Now that I am on the other side of the table, I see how many lawyers don't take initiative, don't ask questions about the business, and don't drive matters, but they could with a different approach to client service.
How do you maintain your professional network, including with former or current Blank Rome colleagues?
I'm an active consumer of Blank Rome services, so keeping up with Blank Rome is easy. I also continue to be active in many professional and civic organizations and keep in touch with former colleagues and peers.
What are you doing professionally now? Please tell us about your role.
As Deputy General Counsel, I lead transactions on behalf of Morgan Properties. I interface with the outside counsel, counterparties, and our business team, and make sure transactions are executed as seamlessly as possible. I also work on internal controls and policies to keep up with the ever-changing legal landscape.
What career advice would you give to attorneys early in their careers?
The simple advice is: always bring a pen and pad to a meeting. Expect that you will keep notes and walk away with follow up tasks. More importantly, however, treat partners and colleagues like they are your clients. Early in your career, partners and colleagues are your clients and you should always treat them that way.
What is your proudest accomplishment in your professional life?
I like to look ahead, so I like to believe that it hasn't happened yet. I've had a number of highlights—making partner at Blank Rome, being named practice group leader, serving on the distribution committee—each of which was a show of trust by the firm and its leadership.