FLB Law’s Annual Real Estate Outlook to Highlight Key Projects Shaping the Future of Fairfield County
Event to be held on May 20th at The SoNo Collection’s M& T Bank’s Magnificent Room in Norwalk
Westport, Conn. (April 7, 2025) – Real Estate Outlook, the annual Fairfield County real estate event co-sponsored by FLB Law and the Greater Norwalk Chamber will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in the M& T Bank’s Magnificent Room at The SoNo Collection. This year’s theme, Breaking New Ground: The Projects That Will Impact Fairfield County, will commence with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m., followed by the panel discussion at 9:00 a.m., which will last approximately one hour. A Q&A session will follow the discussion.
Eric D. Bernheim, FLB Law managing partner and head of the firm’s Real Estate and Land Use & Zoning Practices, will moderate a panel of prominent Fairfield County real estate executives, including Jason Milligan, founder and broker for Milligan Realty; Rodrigo Real, principal of ROAN Development Ventures; Jen Tooker, First Selectwoman of Westport seeking the bid for governor; and Jessica Vonashek, Executive Director of the Manresa Island Corp. (Complete bios below).
“The theme of this year’s event is “Breaking New Ground: The Projects that Will Impact Fairfield County,” said Bernheim, who created the Real Estate Outlook in 2017. “Each of our panelists plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Fairfield County through innovative projects that will transform the region. From development to advocacy, their work is essential in addressing the area's growth and evolving needs. We’re excited to explore these groundbreaking projects and their potential to impact on the county and the state of Connecticut.
Registration for the Real Estate Outlook is available on the Greater Norwalk Chamber website.
About FLB Law, PLLC
FLB Law, PLLC is a full-service firm committed to delivering peace of mind. Based in Westport, Conn., many of FLB Law's attorneys are named among Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers® and are AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. In addition to being committed to clients, FLB Law supports small businesses and nonprofits through its philanthropic program, Accelerate. For more information visit flb.law.
###
PANALISTS
Jason Milligan, Founder and Broker, Milligan Realty
Jason Milligan has owned and operated Milligan Realty, a real estate brokerage and property management company, since 2003. The company specializes in residential and commercial leasing, sales, and property management primarily in Fairfield County, while also managing properties across several other states.
For the past 10 years, Jason has focused his efforts on the Wall Street area of Norwalk, where he owns close to 40 properties. Most of these properties have been renovated and now host a range of new restaurants, shops, and residential tenants, contributing to the area's revitalization.
In addition to his property management and brokerage work, Jason is a developer with two large mixed-use projects underway in the Wall Street neighborhood. These projects will include over 400 units of apartments and hotels, 30,000 square feet of retail space, and 47,500 square feet of office space. He also serves on the board of the Wall Street Neighborhood Association, which works to sustain a clean and inviting neighborhood, and has privately commissioned nearly 100 public works of art to enhance the area's culture.
Rodrigo Real, Principal, ROAN Development Ventures
With over 20 years of experience in investments, finance, strategic alternatives, capital markets and new business development, Rodrigo Real is co-founder of ROAN Development Ventures, a real estate development firm based in Westport, Connecticut. ROAN Development Ventures invests in the local community as a resident and business owner. The company strives to develop top-quality communities in destinations with a deep sense of place and community. The company’s most recent local endeavor is the high-profile development, The Hamlet at Saugatuck in Westport, a mixed-use development along the Saugatuck River that will include retail, residential, restaurants, a hotel, boat slips and event space for which FLB Law is handling the zoning.
Rodrigo was also part of the founding teams of Cindat Capital Management and its predecessor Baltoro Capital Management, with global investments of over $5 billion in real estate, hospitality and PropTech. In 2011 he launched a new hospitality strategy in partnership with Equity Point Group, a European operator focused on new-generation hostels to meet the unmet demands of the budget and youth travel industry worldwide. Rodrigo served on Equity Point’s advisory board, leading the company’s growth, including its US and Europe assets and their successful sale. Rodrigo began his career at Lehman Brothers, advising large corporate clients in M&A transactions with a cumulative value of over $40 billion.
Jen Tooker, Westport First Selectwoman
Jen Tooker is a results-driven leader who prioritizes practical solutions and uniting people to solve tough challenges. With nearly 25 years in international property/casualty reinsurance, she has applied her management expertise to government, making Westport one of the most desirable and well-run municipalities in the country.
As First Selectwoman and previously Second Selectwoman, Jen has led major infrastructure upgrades, enhanced town services, fostered a thriving business community, and strengthened public safety. She has also served on the Board of Finance, Conservation Commission, and Board of Education, gaining hands-on experience in local governance.
Passionate about economic growth, Jen launched Westport Means Business to connect entrepreneurs and StartUp Westport to foster innovation in technology. She also chaired the ReOpen Westport Advisory Team during COVID-19, helping businesses navigate the crisis. As a former board member of the Women’s Business Development Council, she has supported small businesses by promoting entrepreneurial training and financial education.
Before public service, Jen held leadership roles in the reinsurance industry, managing complex global operations and driving business growth. Her ability to streamline processes, optimize resources, and foster collaboration has been instrumental in both corporate and municipal success.
A dedicated advocate for innovation and economic vitality, Jen continues to create opportunities for businesses and residents alike to thrive in Westport.
Jessica Vonashek, Executive Director, Manresa Island Corp.
Jessica Vonashek is the Executive Director of Manresa Island Corp., a nonprofit transforming a 125-acre decommissioned power plant into a public park through remediation, restoration, and development.
Previously, she served as Norwalk’s Chief of Community and Economic Development, where she led economic initiatives, streamlined permitting, and improved transportation infrastructure to enhance mobility.
Before Norwalk, Jessica was the Chief Officer for Operations Policy and Oversight at the MBTA, managing service expansion, implementing new operations software for 3,000+ operators, and negotiating transportation mitigation with private developers. She worked closely with advocates and officials to improve rail and bus reliability.
Her experience also includes leading economic development efforts in Plymouth, securing funding for infrastructure projects, and supporting major real estate investments. At the Harvard Kennedy School, she helped implement best practices in major U.S. cities, and at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, she developed strategic policies in housing and economic growth.
With over 20 years of experience in economic development, transportation, and urban planning, Jessica has a proven track record of driving impactful projects that enhance communities and foster sustainable growth.
MODERATOR
Eric Bernheim , Managing Partner, FLB Law
Eric D. Bernheim is one of Fairfield County’s most sought-after real estate attorneys. He represents prominent developers, landlords, tenants, and lenders in transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leases, and financing. He also handles zoning and land use matters. Eric’s clients range from national hospitality groups to local businesses, developers, municipalities, and individuals. Eric is regularly retained to handle complex projects that require a full complement of transaction-related services. He was appointed Special Counsel to the City of Norwalk, CT, on projects, including the largest redevelopment in the city’s history, The SoNo Collection. Eric also provides practical advice and solid counsel to the hospitality industry, particularly to restaurant groups seeking national expansion, such as bartaco, Barcelona Wine Bar, Hawkers, and Sixty-Vines. He also handles the zoning for The Hamlet at Saugatuck, a high-profile mixed-use development in Westport along the Saugatuck River that will include retail, residential, restaurants, a hotel, boat slips and event space.