His reputation as a real estate finance attorney led to his induction to the American College of Mortgage Attorneys over 15 years ago. This trade organization, which consists of just 400 specialists in real estate mortgage law across the United States, is dedicated to furthering the relationship between lenders and their counsel, encouraging professional responsibility, and influencing legislation related to the industry.

As a member of the College, Tim has filled a variety of roles, including state chair and member of the Board of Regents. In 2000, he was elected president for the year 2002.

Tim's experience representing lenders and borrowers, landlords and tenants in real estate loan transactions and commercial leases is a valuable resource to his HFM colleagues as well as the College. Both rely on his perspective and industry insights.

"Real estate finance is fascinating," said Tim. "While someone driving by a real estate project may see only a pile of dirt being pushed around, under the upper crust are layers of equity and debt financing structured to spread the risk and tailor the opportunities for the specific needs of the investors."

This year, Tim's major project as president of the College is making certain the College addresses issues on a state level. At the same time, he expects the College to continue involvement in matters of national concern, such as the current debate over e-signatures. While many foreign countries and some states have already enacted legislation recognizing e-signatures, Congress must decide whether there should be uniform laws on the subject. This is important to real estate finance since most commercial real estate lending crosses state lines and must wrestle with conflicts of law issues. If the borrower in State A (which does not recognize e-signatures) electronically executes a legal document and e-mails it to the lender in State B (which recognizes e-signatures), is it a valid and enforceable obligation?

Back at HFM, Tim is head of the real property transactions group. His leadership skills, along with the vision of the Firm's managing partner, have helped build a practice group that boasts many talented attorneys and a broad base of skills. "There are two ways to manage a law firm," he said. "The traditional structure is to have one partner who manages the client relationship and many associates doing the work. This system has worked well for law firms for decades. Clients, on the other hand, are concerned about inefficiencies and the perception they are paying for training scores of associates who are learning at the client's expense. In response, we have created a different model where the partner remains responsible for the project from cradle to grave and does most of the legal work - relying on assistance only where the task clearly justifies use of newer attorneys or where a specialized discipline is called for."

The practice group, which focuses on commercial real estate legal needs, has garnered respect among San Diego's real estate community. The group's attorneys have represented public entities, developers, tenants, mobile home parks, lenders, and investors in a variety of transactions including acquisition, leasing, financing, compliance, entitlements, public finance, and disposition.

What is his most rewarding experience as a lawyer? "Getting a difficult deal closed on time and on budget and for the client to feel it has received value from its attorneys. Despite public impressions to the contrary, I think that is the goal of most attorneys - at least those I am fortunate enough to work with here in San Diego and through the College."

Tim stresses that he could not deliver consistent value without a legal assistant whose attention to client needs is paramount. "Hopefully, every attorney, sometime in his or her career, will experience the feeling of complete confidence in an assistant who is a true partner."

With all of this professional experience, Tim continues his leadership and management example on the home front. He was selected the 1995 Father of the Year in San Diego.

"Frankly," he said, "I think I made it on a combination of my wife's good work and sheer volume. Being a dedicated multi-tasker certainly helps," adds Tim.

And while none of his children have yet followed in his career footsteps, two of his brood are keeping their options open and could possibly see a future in law.

For more information about Tim Konold or the real property transactions and litigation practice group, visit www.higgslaw.com/engine/apg/pgroups.asp.