- Member Spotlight
Poonam Patidar
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. in Boston, MA
A lawyer with 17 years of experience, a Member in Mintz’s Public Finance Practice and Chair of the firm’s Alumni Program, and a wide array of experience including transportation, higher education, health care, economic development, project finance, stadium financing, water, and wastewater. Meet Poonam Patidar.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a Bostonian, born and bred – which includes all the Boston sports. I’m a first generation Indian-American, and the first lawyer in my extended family. I have a spunky 5 year old who knows lots of bond jargon already. I always knew I wanted to have a career that involved economic development and investments and when I found this practice, it married all my interests together.
At The Workshop in September, you are leading the panel “The Unraveling: Working your way through Distress.” What is one lesson you hope attendees will take back to their office?
I hope that attendees walk away understanding that communicating with the trustee and lenders at the earliest signs of distress actually gives their clients more options and tools to address the default. Most investors are long term holders and are invested in the long term success of the project.
You joined NABL in 2007 and volunteered on projects and being a speaker. How has being a NABL member impacted your career?
NABL has afforded me the opportunity to meet and learn from other practitioners in the country. Sometimes public finance can be a regional practice, going to NABL and meeting folks from other parts of the country has broadened my perspective on different styles and approaches to the practice.
What’s the best piece of advice you have received?
There are so many; it’s hard to pick, but over the last few years and as I think about my career path, there is one thing that comes to mind – which is people always said be authentic to yourself and patient.
If you could have dinner with three people, who would you choose and why?
My maternal grandfather – He passed away when I was very young, so I never got to know him, but he was a freedom fighter in India, built a sugar factory to unite local farm worker and campaigned education for women, in a time and place where women had very little rights and opportunities.
Madeleine Albright – She was an inspiration to me as I considered my career path and a trailblazer in so many ways.
Julia Child – A true mastermind, she was someone who knew how to pivot in life and make the best out of every circumstance.
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