Monthly Feature: Get to Know... James E. Devine
May 1, 2025
By: James E. Devine
Some of us know from an early age what career we will pursue. Others explore various options or fields of study before making a decision. Then there is Jim Devine. While he excelled at and enjoyed school, no one subject grabbed him as the one. So, as a junior at Hofstra University, he visited the career services office. After an initial interview, which he likens to a therapy intake, the counselor prescribed a series of tests that would measure and assess his IQ, personality and dexterity.
Without exception, every test result pointed straight at law school and a potential career with the FBI. Jim’s interest was piqued, and his next steps took him to Hofstra Law. Without question, Jim knew he was on the right path, but after meeting with an FBI recruiter, he looked for the exit ramp. “I was very interested in and had every intention of pursuing a career with the FBI. Then I met with what I can only call an anti-recruiter,” Jim recalls. “He made the FBI sound absolutely horrible, perhaps as a way of weeding out the maybes.” While Jim’s interest in the FBI was squelched, his commitment to practicing law proved unwavering.
Today, Jim’s busy commercial real estate practice spans a broad range of matters in size and sophistication, with many repeat clients. While he doesn’t expect that his career is the stuff of fascinating cocktail party conversation, 30 years into his career he remains excited about his work.
“I love when a client comes to me, for example, and tells me that he has worked something out with the tenant’s principal. Often, when I look at what they’ve ‘worked out’ from a legal viewpoint, I see that there are a great many elements to the core business arrangement that need to be fleshed out. There are contingencies to address. I thoroughly enjoy converting that 4 minute discussion they had into a 10-page, comprehensive lease or contract clause that appropriately protects my client’s interest, while at the same time remaining true to the core business understanding. Clients may sometimes view my counsel as a blessing and a curse-- even as an impediment to getting a deal done-- but when all is said and done, they’re glad to put up with me.”
Jim says he’s been fortunate that his client base is mainly high volume repeat business. “The people are great. I love my clients and truly value our longtime relationships.”
He has shepherded his clients through the trends and challenges of the decades. Heading into 2020, Long Island’s office market was robust. “COVID was a game changer. The office landlords and transactions the firm represents are primarily for suburban Class A buildings. While there were challenges, the suburban Class A office sector took less of a hit than its Manhattan counterpart. At the same time, the industrial market took off. So, our clients had to remain flexible and creative, and we were there as part of the team to help them work through some uncertain times. There is a solution to every problem.”
When asked why real estate, Jim reflects back on his law school and early professional experience. “In law school, 90 percent of what you study is theory applicable to the litigation world. Although it shapes your brain and matures analytical skills, little of it directly relates to transactional work. I’m simply not confrontational enough to litigate and. wouldn’t be able to tolerate starting a matter that might not wrap up for years.”
His career took off when he joined Lazer Aptheker. He wanted to work at a local law firm to get a feel for the work. Lazer Aptheker had an opening. It was the longest job interview of his life, but in the end it was the last job interview he would ever have to date.
The Lazer team kept him for about 3 hours. “It turned out that they wanted me to talk to all the partners, and after each one spoke to me they kept me waiting so they could discuss my employment. Ultimately they offered me a job on the spot and tried to get me to accept before I left the building.”
Thirty years later, it’s evident that they all made the right choice.
Jim admits that he’s the type to find something he likes and stick with it. He still lives in his hometown, and has essentially worked with the same people for 3 decades. He admits to past concerns about how his career might be affected by a merger, particularly with a big law firm.
“I was very comfortable with Lazer Aptheker and uncomfortable with the prospect of being gobbled up by a big firm that would operate in a big-firm way. Fortunately, that didn’t happen. I’ve only positive things to say about Bond. It has been a very pleasant and smooth transition and the people are great. I am able to continue to do my own thing while benefiting from all that Bond brings to the table.“
