2024 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Gregory Chakmakas, Sheehan Phinney

“Greg Chakmakas is a shareholder in Sheehan Phinney’s Affordable Housing Group. He represents developers of affordable housing throughout New England. Since joining Sheehan Phinney eight years ago, Greg has been recognized as a rising star in the affordable housing industry. Although only in his 30s, Greg has twice co-chaired the American Bar Association’s Affordable Housing Boot Camp, a national seminar that provides both in-depth introductory LIHTC, HUD, and CED workshops, as well as specialized sessions focusing on current issues facing the affordable housing and community development industry. Greg’s knowledge, responsiveness and passion for helping clients provide clean, safe and affordable housing for working families and seniors, makes him a valuable asset on any development team.” - Ken Viscarello, Shareholder, Chair of the firm’s Affordable Housing Group at Sheehan Phinney.

In the last 12 months what accomplishment are you most proud of? As legal counsel to affordable housing developers, the past 12 months have presented many unique challenges. I am very proud of our affordable housing group’s ability to meet these challenges head on with creative and efficient solutions to meet our clients needs. Getting the opportunity to work with great colleagues and play a role in providing safe affordable housing to our communities is extremely rewarding and I am honored to be a part of it. 

How do you balance your rising career with your personal life? I set boundaries and prioritize what’s important to me professionally and personally. To practice law at a high level, you need to put in the work. Sometimes long hours and late nights are part of the deal. Despite my best efforts to control it, however, my own equilibrium between career obligations and personal life fluctuates. When I find myself falling out of balance, it helps to know that I have the support of my colleagues at the firm and my amazing wife at home to get me back on track.