Washington, DC - Sept. 17, 2015 - Venable LLP announced today that Stephanie DeLong, a partner in the firm's Commercial Real Estate practice, will serve as co-chair of the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) in DC. WILEF is the premier organization for women attorneys, dedicated to assisting women in law to assume leadership roles within the NLJ 250 and Fortune 1000 legal departments and within their respective communities.
Founded and headed globally by Betiayn Tursi, WILEF presents cutting edge programming that provides an educational and networking forum for women in law. It has markets in Washington, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Houston and recently expanded internationally creating a London division. WILEF also plans to expand into Southern California with Fall programming in the Los Angeles market.
WILEF programs are led by and attended by prominent attorneys at top law firms and corporations around the country. Sponsor firms are also given opportunities to speak at or lead the programs within their markets. Membership in WILEF allows attorneys (men and women) nationwide access to all its programming. WILEF events are underwritten by their family of sponsors.
"I believe strongly in the mission of WILEF," said Ms. DeLong, "and am honored to help lead them this year. With WILEF DC's co-vice chair, Jessica Hough and co-chairs, Rachel Alexander and Mary Ellen Callahan, we plan to bring meaningful programs to a greater number of attorneys in the Nation's capital and appreciate the support of our firms and colleagues in this endeavor."
Ms. DeLong has more than 20 years of business and legal experience in commercial real estate. She focuses on acquisitions, finance, development and securitization, although her experience extends across all aspects of commercial property matters. She has handled hundreds of land acquisitions, development agreements, project financings, construction loans, syndications and mezzanine-lending transactions. She also has experience with government grants and incentives for corporate relocation, and has assisted with corporate mergers.
Prior to joining Venable, Ms. DeLong worked for a Washington, DC, developer on the acquisition, disposition, development and financing of commercial projects.
Doreen S. Martin of Venable's New York office and Jessica L. Grant of its San Francisco office currently serve on WILEF's Global Advisory Board.
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Venable LLP is an American Lawyer 100 law firm serving clients globally. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in California, Delaware, Maryland, New York and Virginia, Venable LLP lawyers and legislative advisors serve the needs of our domestic and global clients in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property, regulatory, and government affairs around the globe.