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PR E FA C E

working on them, I told Donald that I was bored with my life at
Gordon and was planning to retire. He asked me to join the Trump
Organization on a full-time basis. He said, “I’ve got a lot of great
things going and you’ll have fun.” We quickly agreed on terms (I
only work four days a week) and 10 years later, I’m still an important
part of the Trump team.
My title is Senior Executive Vice President and Senior Counsel for
the Trump Organization and my primary function is to give Donald
Trump business and legal advice. I offer my opinion as to the feasibil-
ity of his proposed projects, which he is free to accept or reject. He
likes to bounce things off me before reaching his own decision. He
knows that I will call it like I see it and give him an unbiased opinion.
I’m currently responsible for developing many foreign investments for
Donald and supervising the leasing and operation of 40 Wall Street
and Trump Tower.
Additionally, I teach a course at New York University on negoti-
ation. Negotiation is a subject that I have made a study of throughout
my career, because it is such a critical part of real estate success. I
could easily fill a book on this subject. For a discussion of some of
the principles and techniques, used by Trump, that I think are most
valuable, see Chapters 3 and 4.
Trump has been a great man to work for. In 10 years, he has
never once asked me where I’m going or what I’m doing. That’s the
kind of trust we have. When he gave me responsibility for 40 Wall
Street, I took the building from where it was—a one-million-square-
foot nearly vacant structure he purchased for $1 million—to where
it is now—a thriving office building worth in excess of $350 million.
After 40 Wall Street had been rented and had become extremely
profitable for Trump, I said to him, “I think I’m entitled to a bonus
for 40 Wall Street.” Trump’s reply was, “How much do you think
you’re entitled to?” I gave him a figure. He said, “You’ve got it.” It’s
this kind of recognition that makes it a pleasure to work for him.

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