Broker's Angle: Recent Episodes
Hal Coopersmith, Esq.
Broker’s Angle is a podcast for and about real estate brokers. Hosted by third generation New York City real estate attorney and New York Press Club award winning podcast host, Hal Coopersmith, we explore the issues most important to brokers and their businesses. Through in-depth interviews, updates on current real estate news, and even some legal analysis, Broker’s Angle provides the information that top brokers need and want to know in order to be the best at what they do.
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In this episode of Broker’s Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Ryan Gessin to explore how specializing in New York City’s outer borough office markets helped him build a unique and thriving business. Ryan shares his journey from making cold calls with no market experience to becoming a trusted advisor for landlords, healthcare providers, AI companies, and institutional owners across Brooklyn and Queens. The conversation dives into the evolution of the outer borough office market, the rise of AI-driven leasing demand, and why deep specialization and mentorship are the keys to long-term success in commercial real estate.
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In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Patrick Steffens of Avison Young to discuss his journey in commercial real estate, the importance of building long-term client relationships, and the growing role of charter schools in New York City's real estate market. Patrick shares insights on structuring successful lease negotiations, leveraging landlord-side experience to better represent tenants, and navigating the unique challenges of educational real estate transactions.
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In this episode, Jonathan Anapol shares insights from a career spanning more than 3,000 lease transactions across New York City. He discusses the importance of truly understanding clients, matching businesses with the right spaces, and how experience, market knowledge, and entrepreneurship have shaped his approach to commercial real estate in an industry that continues to evolve.
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In this episode, Craig Deitelzweig shares how he reimagined office spaces through hospitality well before it became a trend. Craig shares the vision behind transforming traditional, generic buildings into experience-driven environments that people actually enjoy coming to. From taking a struggling property and dramatically increasing its value, to rethinking tenant experience through design, service, and amenities, this conversation dives into the strategy, risks, and mindset behind redefining what an office can be.
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On this episode of Broker’s Angle, Maxine Rosen shares how she started her brokerage career just days before the pandemic and why she never lost faith in the role offices play in bringing people together. From uncertainty to perseverance, she shares why human connection will always keep the office relevant.
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In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Noam Aziz of Meridian, a young commercial leasing broker who’s proving that success isn’t about age, it’s about action. At only 21, he’s closed hundreds of leases, built a growing team, and outworked the competition, one phone call at a time. This episode dives into the mindset, discipline, and strategy behind rapid success in commercial real estate.
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On this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Benjamin Schanzer of Norman Bobrow to talk about making the leap from retail to office leasing, the realities of cold calling, and why brokerage is ultimately a people business. Benjamin shares how mentorship, market knowledge, patience, and genuine connection shape successful deals, and why setting expectations early is everything. A candid conversation on growth, grit, and what it really takes to build a lasting career in commercial real estate.
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In this episode of Broker’s Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with James Famularo for a wide-ranging conversation on the current state of the retail market and what truly drives successful real estate deals. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, James shares why retail remains resilient regardless of who is in office, highlights the hottest tenant categories, from food and beverage to health and wellness, and explains the critical role funding and passion play in an operator’s success.
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In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Michael Davis, a seasoned New York City real estate broker at Compass, to discuss his unique career trajectory, insights into the commercial and residential markets, and the systems that have fueled his long-term success. Michael shares an optimistic outlook for both residential and commercial markets heading into 2026, noting increased activity, more reasonable landlord pricing, and rising competition, all reinforcing his belief that New York City remains an electrifying place to do business.
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In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Jacob Wolkenfeld, Managing Director at Norman Bobrow & Co., to discuss his journey and approach to commercial real estate. Starting as an intern at 21, Jacob built his business from scratch through cold outreach, persistence, and what he calls “mental fortitude.” He shares how focusing solely on tenant representation allows him to align completely with clients’ interests and how consistent activity, strong follow-up systems, and long hours have fueled his success. Jacob discusses the current strength of Manhattan’s office market and the importance of conviction and resilience for new brokers.
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In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Alex Turboff, Executive Vice President and Head of Food & Beverage at Mona. With more than two decades of experience in restaurant real estate, Alex shares insights on the unique challenges of New York’s F&B market, from rising construction costs and liquor license delays to the critical role of due diligence in site selection.
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In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Gabe Marans, Vice Chairman at Savills and the #2 ranked CRE voice on social media. Gabe shares how he went from cold calls at 6 AM to building a 10,000-contact database, and how LinkedIn video and zagging when others zig helped scale his business.
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In this episode of Broker’s Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Richard Plehn who shares how market insight, client-first thinking, and a Socratic approach have shaped his success over decades in New York City's commercial real estate. Tune in to hear why data is the new differentiator and what it really takes to make a smart deal in today’s market.
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In this episode of Broker’s Angle, Doug Regal shares his 22-year journey through New York City commercial real estate, from property management to tenant representation. We discuss what keeps tenants happy, how tech companies’ space needs have evolved, and why modern brokerage must embrace technology.
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In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Kirill Azovtsev, whose story is a compelling tale of perseverance, adaptability, and success against the odds. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Kirill arrived in the U.S. on a tennis scholarship, barely speaking English and with no prior exposure to American culture or business. What began as a leap of faith into an unfamiliar country eventually turned into a thriving career in New York City, one of the world’s most competitive real estate markets.
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In this episode, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Elliot Zelinger to talk about how a psychology major pivoted into commercial real estate and never looked back. From old-school canvassing to modern deal-making, Elliot shares nearly 20 years of insights, trends shaping the market, and how relationships have fueled his success.
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In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Beth Rosen to discuss the art of preparation and how in-depth research and understanding of the market can add value to clients in the competitive retail space. From Madison Avenue's evolution to the challenges of finding the perfect retail space, Beth shares valuable insights on staying ahead of trends and the human side of real estate.
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In this episode, we sit down with Cory Zelnik who shares his journey from walking the streets to navigating New York's ever-evolving retail landscape. Cory dives into how he grew his business, the power of staying hands-on, and the trends shaping NYC retail today. From luxury brands to the impact of COVID and even the challenges of crime in the city, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in real estate and retail trends.
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In this episode, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Matthew Siegel, Co-Founder of Lantern, to discuss his journey in commercial real estate—from his early days at Cushman & Wakefield to co-founding his own firm. They dive into the importance of hard work, attention to detail, and long-term relationships in the brokerage business. Matthew shares valuable insights on building a service-driven, mission-oriented company and his thoughts on the evolving retail landscape.
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In this episode, we sit down with Ben Blumenthal of NOAH to dive into his journey from struggling through cold calls to founding a cutting-edge real estate brokerage that’s revolutionizing the industry. Ben shares how he built a platform combining technology, time management, and team support to empower brokers to do more deals in less time, plus, his unique insights into recruiting top talent, navigating the current real estate market, and even volunteering as an EMS in NYC.
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In this episode, we welcome Justin Losh, Principal of Counter. Justin shares his path into commercial real estate and explains how he initially focused on apartment rentals but quickly transitioned to commercial real estate, drawn to the more dynamic and fulfilling work with small businesses, particularly in the food and beverage sector in Bushwick.
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In this episode, we welcome Hunter Berman, Senior Market Director of Broker Partnerships at WeWork. Hunter shares his journey into the field, the impact of the pandemic on workspace needs, and the growing demand for flexible office solutions.
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In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Gregg Cohen, principal at CRESA, to delve into his journey from a career in investment banking to the world of commercial real estate. Gregg shares his fascinating transition from equity sales trading to becoming a leading tenant representative in the commercial real estate sector.
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In this episode, Hal and Brandon talk about the qualities of a good broker, the stock market and Brandon shares how he started his career as a real estate broker
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In this episode we talk about the new requirements for residential leasing in New York State as a result of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act. At 2:33, Rene Hamilton talks about starting a career as a real estate broker, how he has built his network, and his role in CURE (Council of Urban Real Estate) an organization dedicated to creating a diverse pipeline into the real estate industry.
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In this episode we talk about the COVID-19 Relief Package for personal liability provisions concerning tenants of commercial leases. At 2:21, Joel Binstok talks about auditing commercial leases on behalf of tenants, strategies brokers can use to save tenants money, and renegotiating terms amid the changing real estate landscape following COVID-19.
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In this episode we talk about sublease considerations for sublandlords and subtenants amid COVID-19. At 3:18 Dan Marks talks about the changing landscape of real estate following the sweeping rent regulations passed last summer, the world of commercial industrial leasing, and his strategies for success in the competitive market of New York City real estate.
More information on sublease considerations for sublandlords and subtenants amid COVID-19 available at: https://www.coopersmithandcoopersmith.com/2020/05/11/sublease-considerations-sublandlords-subtenants-covid-19/
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In this episode, Hal talks about how Coopersmith & Coopersmith is counseling landlords and commercial tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic. At 2:06, Josh Berger talks about how he built his reputation as a commercial broker when he first entered the industry, how he leads broker training at Norman Bobrow & Company, and how his passion for art and boxing have shown him the necessity for structure and balance within his professional career.
To speak to an attorney at Coopersmith & Coopersmith for a complimentary 15 minute consultation for navigating commercial leasing amid Covid-19 follow this link: https://www.coopersmithandcoopersmith.com/contact/
In this episode, Hal and Richard talk about using a Special Purpose Entity, Single Purpose Entity, or SPE to insulate tenants from liability when signing commercial leases. At 3:38, Alan Wildes talks about his experience negotiating commercial leases, adapting to a changing industry, and how his ethos when working with clients has led to his success
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In this episode, Hal and Richard talk about the differences between licensing and subleasing. At 2:50, Jonathan Wasserstrum talks about his company SquareFoot, the changing digital landscape of commercial leasing and the real value of commercial brokers.
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In this episode, Hal and Richard talk about rent inclusions in New York City commercial leases and some things to be on the lookout for when representing a Tenant. At 2:58, Michael Berman talks about Fosun's repositioning of 28 Liberty Street with Fosun, and how he has represented landlords and tenants in his career.
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In this episode, Hal and Richard discuss what you need to know about the Commercial Rent Tax in Manhattan (not to be confused with real estate tax escalations). At 3:16, Andrew Stein and Bert Rosenblatt of Vicus Partners talk about how they started their own firm and how they found a niche with recent charter school deals.
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In this episode, Hal and Richard discuss what you need to know about Soho zoning. At 3:01, Susan Penzner and Nathan Stange of Susan Penzner Real Estate share their personal experiences closing noteworthy deals in Soho and Chelsea and how the area has transformed over time.
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Third generation New York City real estate attorney and New York Press Club award winning podcast host, Hal Coopersmith, Esq. provides a preview about what's coming up for Broker's Angle! We discuss our show format with Richard Coopersmith, Esq. and a little about the law firm of Coopersmith and Coopersmith.
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