Section Spotlight: Scott Schaaf, Real Property
Article Date: Monday, April 09, 2012
Written By: Emily Gallimore
Scott Schaaf, 35, serves as a member of the Real Property Section Council, the governing body for the nearly 2,000-member section. He was elected to the role in 2009.
Schaaf’s involvement on the council provides opportunities to contribute his considerable knowledge and experience to work toward improving the state’s real property law and practice.
“Scott by nature is a very quiet person. His service to the Real Property Section has allowed his fellow practitioners on the council as well as members of the section to experience first hand how solid a person and skilled practitioner Scott is,” Schaaf’s colleague and a past section chair, Alfred Adams, said.
Schaaf joined the section in the early years of his career, when his practice in general commercial and corporate law became increasingly focused on real property matters. Schaaf said that client demand for commercial real property work and a personal interest in real estate led him make the transition.
Attending the section’s Annual Meetings and serving on committees led to friendships with real estate lawyers across the state, Schaaf said. “I met folks I’m comfortable calling with a question or picking their brains about an issue.”
During Schaaf’s term on the council, the section has focused specifically on problems of unauthorized practice and proposed legislation related to construction liens and other liens. Schaaf said that the council is frequently presented with opportunities for input into currently relevant issues at times when involvement can make a meaningful difference in their resolution.
From 2009 to 2011, Schaaf worked with others, including the North Carolina Association of Realtors, to produce a supplement to the real property forms book.
As the section’s CLE chair, Schaaf plans CLE programs put on by the council and attended by a large number of the state’s real estate practitioners.
Schaaf’s commitment to the section has enhanced his practice, Adams said. “The interchange of ideas and the sharing of practice pointers that one learns while serving on the Real Property Section Council have an immense impact on one’s practice.”
Schaaf practices commercial real estate with Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice in Winston-Salem. He focuses on transactional issues, including helping buyers and sellers of real property and assisting lender clients with real estate finance issues.
“Scott is a terrific member of the Real Property Section and is an excellent council member. He has really embraced his work as CLE chair by overseeing several excellent CLE programs during his tenure,” Katherine Wilkerson, Real Property Section chair and past YLD chair, said. “Scott is a great example of a young lawyer fully engaged and involved in NCBA activities.” •
Emily Gallimore practices with Wyatt Early Harris Wheeler LLP in High Point.
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