2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Brooke Foster, Bernkopf

“Brooke has quickly made her mark within our real estate team through her exceptional work ethic, dedication, and problem-solving skills. She is thoughtful and meticulous when tackling challenges, and she finds creative, effective solutions to complex problems. Her ability to manage a high volume of demanding transactions with professionalism and precision makes her a rising star with a bright future in real estate law, and we are proud to have her on the Bernkopf team.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role? Going into law school, I wanted to pursue criminal law. With the guidance of a fantastic mentor in my business classes, I discovered my analytical skills and developed an interest in business law. After my first semester, I knew contract law would play a key role in my career – understanding a contract felt like solving a puzzle, and I loved it. While an interest in contracts was too broad, my real estate class brought it into focus. I realized I could apply my passion for problem-solving to real estate transactions, working on acquisitions, sales, and leases where each piece comes together.

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of? I recently worked on a complex hotel acquisition for one of our largest clients. It was an $80M+ deal involving two connected properties with several moving pieces, including liquor licensing, franchise licensing, and a significant loan, and we had to close in under three days with little notice. I took a hands-on role with limited oversight, communicating with various parties through constant emails and calls. Unexpected issues kept coming up, but each time I found a solution. We closed on time, and I was proud that nothing slipped through the cracks despite the many obstacles.