“We have great mentors and teachers here…Everybody strives to succeed together” – Maria, Director of Operations and Client Relations
My name is Maria Farruggia, and I am the Director of Operations and Client Relations at Adam Leitman Bailey PC. I was born and raised in New York, on Long Island, and went to school in the city. After graduating, I initially planned to go down the law school path, taking two years off to find a firm with a paralegal program that allowed for that. That’s how I found myself here at Adam Leitman Bailey PC.
I started in the litigation department, working closely with the foreclosure department, as well as in bankruptcies, building violations, and other areas. After a few months, I realized that law school wasn’t the path for me. I told myself that if I wasn’t motivated by these incredible attorneys to pursue law school, then it wasn’t something I truly wanted to do. However, I loved the people I was working with, and I enjoyed learning everything about real estate—from building violations to foreclosures, to transactional work—and I genuinely thrived in the environment here.
I decided to move into a more hybrid role, and that led me to my current position. I work closely with Adam, helping him navigate his busy schedule every day, and I also work with the Chief Operating Officer. I handle some HR duties and assist the attorneys. I train and work with the paralegals, and having been a paralegal here myself, I understand the firm’s needs from every angle: support staff, HR, Adam’s perspective, and of course, the clients. People often come to me with questions, and I find a way to make things happen.
What I enjoy most about working here is that my opinion and knowledge are valued. Not only are my opinions valued, but this is a firm where every individual’s voice is heard. From partners to associates, paralegals, and everyone in between, there is no hierarchy. Everybody is treated the same, and all opinions matter.
I was initially attracted to the firm by its work culture. I had a three-round interview, and although I was intimidated, everyone I met was welcoming, inspiring, and motivating. When I met Adam and Jackie Weinstein in my final interview, I knew I wanted to work here, and when I got the call back, I was thrilled.
The firm culture is amazing—it’s a corporate-like feel but with a family-oriented approach. We are a small, boutique law firm, and everyone strives to succeed together. The quality of our work is reflected in everything we do, from communication with clients to our 24-hour turnaround period for responding to emails and calls. The attention to detail in everything we do—from the work we produce to the final steps of binding and printing—is evident and speaks to the high standards of our firm.
Teamwork is a key value here. I can speak from the support staff’s perspective: everyone is there to help each other, even if they don’t know how to do something. They’ll ask questions, lend a hand, and ensure everything gets done. Everyone is genuinely willing to help.
Personally, real estate law excites me, which is what first attracted me to the firm. I didn’t know much about real estate when I joined, but the longer I’ve been here, the more I’ve learned. I’m proud to work at one of the top real estate firms in New York, a city where real estate is so vital. It’s rewarding not only to learn but to use that knowledge to further my own real estate goals.
One of my proudest moments at the firm was during the pandemic when we organized a donation project for Elmhurst Hospital, which was at the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis in New York. Being part of that project and knowing we were contributing to something bigger was incredibly rewarding.
I believe that motivation, attention to detail, and a willingness to take on tasks—big or small—are essential qualities for anyone in this firm. As a boutique firm, we offer a family-oriented environment where we genuinely care about each other’s well-being. We have an open-door policy and encourage honesty and communication. Adam, in particular, is deeply invested in his employees’ well-being, and he believes in helping everyone succeed.
Although I started as a paralegal, Adam took a chance on me, and I now oversee the interviewing process for support and paralegal staff. We look for motivated individuals who are eager to work hard, because at Adam Leitman Bailey, hard work is always recognized and rewarded.