Why networking is the key to Sam Saad’s success

ASK a property professional the secret of success and most will mention a good education, hard work, varied experience and maybe a dose of luck.

Sydney property lawyer Sam Saad adds another: networking.

“For me, when I started my focus was building networks,” he says.

“Doing law was one thing, but building relationships with different people along the way is what I found most exciting.”

It certainly worked for Sam. Fresh out of university, he spent a year at PwC, joined what is now Long Saad Woodbridge in 2013 and had his name on the door within six years.

The firm was founded in 1994 and handles business and property, estate planning and family law.

“I was a junior lawyer, worked my way up, and became a partner just before age 30,” he said.

Founder partner Clayton Long noted Sam’s “tireless efforts in our property, commercial and pharmacy teams.”

Sam agrees pharmacy transactions, compliance and regulatory law including PBS approvals are a “very tight knit space.”

But he started at LSW working with a partner who was the son of a pharmacist and specialised in the business.

When he retired, Sam carried on and “I guess I just fell into it.”

He also handles commercial sales and leasing, and although Sydney faces a glut of office space, says industrial property is booming.

“The Sydney market is the hottest,” he adds, “but there are lots of opportunities in other states, especially Queensland, Tasmania and WA.”

Sam is the Sydney-born son of Lebanese migrants, his father working in the “rag trade” manufacturing garments for big brands.

They worked hard to send him to Sydney’s prestigious Newington College, then Sydney University and UTS.  “All credit goes to them for where I am today.”

His advice to today’s law students is to get hip to Artificial Intelligence.

“AI is something that’s going to be very helpful in improving efficiencies,” Sam says.

“I think that if you upskill enough, it will be a tool that will help you, as opposed to one that takes over your job.”

Another challenge is the looming AML/CTF regime for conveyancers and lawyers. Sam feels LSW will likely appoint a compliance manager from within.

They’re waiting until AUSTRAC’s requirements become clear. “We’ve been doing our research but not doing anything yet.”

Long Saad Woodbridge had about 30 staff when Sam started; it now has some 80. He can see it expanding to 100 or 120.

“We’re bursting at the seams here,” he says, “so we have to think about more office space.”

Happily, Sam has friends in the business. That’s networking for you.