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84 JEANETTE F. FRANKENBERG Stern, Lavinthal & Frankenberg, LLC, Managing Member Full-Service Default, Commercial, and Real Estate Transactions, Commercial and Residential Leasing, Bankruptcy, Commercial and Consumer Finance, Evictions, REO, Environmental Law, Land Use and Development, Commercial Litigation Jeanette F. Frankenberg, a leader in the default and REO arena, is the Managing Member of Stern, Lavinthal & Frankenberg, LLC (SL&F), the only solely woman-owned full-service default law firm in New Jersey. She continues to support other women through charities such as Dress for Success, partnerships with other women- owned businesses, and hands-on mentorship. Frankenberg is a force in the industry who will never settle with the status quo. She understands servicers' requirements and adapts to meet their needs. "We continually invest in programming enhancements to create processing efficiencies, quality control checkpoints, and cutting-edge data security. ˆese enhancements result in a superior product with a cost savings for our clients," Frankenberg said. In 2019, Frankenberg began pursuing controlled expansion into new jurisdictions beyond New Jersey, successfully incorporating default, bankruptcy, and REO services in New York and Pennsylvania. SL&F's recent expansion is only the beginning of a new chapter for the historic firm as they continue to raise the bar for competitors through seamless multistate integration, technological advances, and exceptional service. NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 25+ MICHELLE GARCIA GILBERT Gilbert Garcia Group, P.A., and Sapphire Title & Escrow Company, Managing Partner At the helm of Gilbert Garcia Group for 10 years, Michelle Garcia Gilbert manages her law firm, title company, and commercial real estate interests in the same way she always has: boutique and high-touch, while leveraging technology for seamless client and team experience. In recent years, her focus has been on expansion into other practices areas, which helps offset the decrease in default servicing cases. In particular, Garcia Gilbert managed expansion into probate, estate planning, guardianship, business law, and construction cases, which team attorneys and paralegals have enjoyed as a change from default servicing and as an opportunity to learn new practice areas. Added to this mix of services is Sapphire Title, a full-service, boutique closing company versed in all things real estate. Common themes for Garcia Gilbert and her team revolve around philanthropy, learning, and entrepreneurialism. Monthly charitable projects include backpacks for inner-city schools; dog beds, leashes, and treats for the Humane society; and penny wars for Habitat for Humanity veterans' homes. Team members present at monthly lunch-and-learns, executive and design teams innovate better client experiences and further revenue streams, and the firm hosts several events each year for team members and their families (including the furry kind). It does not get much better than this, and Gilbert is grateful for both her team and her life. NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 33 SALLY GARRISON The Mortgage Law Firm, Managing Member Sally Garrison said the aspect of her job she enjoys most is that she works with people she genuinely adores. "My colleagues at my firm are phenomenal. ey make me look good every day, while simultaneously making me smile. I also have colleagues at other firms and on the client side who have become my travel family and some of my closest friends. I get to do what I love with people I care about. at is pretty special and it isn't lost on me," she said. She added the political nature of the legal profession will continue to be a struggle in 2020. Garrison said it is important the industry has the "confidence of the public so that we can lead the way" on best practices and standards. Among the highlights in her career is being named a finalist for the 2019 Keystone Award for Cultural Leadership. She added that she brings an attorney's perspective to business development—valuable in training and troubleshooting. "I am empathetic to the needs of others, including my clients. Firms have to react to the ever-changing environment we are in. Empathy and practical knowledge will always be useful in being strategic." She added she has had "amazing opportunities" in her career, but there were moments influenced by her gender. "ere is room for improvement from a gender equity perspective. I think my generation will leave this industry better than we found it in that regard. Now that women have a seat—and I say—at the table, our obligation is to make room for other disenfranchised groups." NUMBER OF YEARS PRACTICING LAW: 20 Top 25 Women of Law