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Spotlight Interview: How Andrew Delory Took A Degree In Communications And Built A Law Empire

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The world has been in the middle of a pandemic for much of 2020, and it is undeniable that many industries have been adversely affected. Despite the struggles, of the economy, the real estate industry has consistently strengthened, supported by the combination of interest rates and inventory both being at an all-time low. In these trying times, Andrew Delory has been a beacon giving buyers faith in the strength of the market. 

Andrew Delory is the second part of the dynamic father-and-son duo behind Delory Law, a legal firm that specializes in helping people buy & sell real estate. They handle a range of legal affairs including zoning, development, condominium conversions, leases, evictions, and some civil litigation. 

I got a chance to catch up with Andrew recently, and he goes deep into his story and how he became the successful attorney we all admire today.

How did you make the decision to become a real estate attorney? What was your educational journey?

I went to a small Catholic High School where I was the Captain of 3 varsity sports teams, Junior Class President, and a co-anchor of the school’s own morning news show. I was really into Journalism. Coupled with my love of sports, I thought for sure I would work on ESPN one day.

I enrolled in the University of Rhode Island in the fall of 2005 seeking a Communications Studies major specializing in Journalism. Halfway through college, Journalism got its own school separate from Communications.  Instead of having to retake many of the same general elective style courses to get a Journalism degree, I turned my attention towards using my Communications Studies background to focus on marketing/advertising.  

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies in 2009, then enrolled at the Massachusetts School of Law in the fall of 2010 as a night student because I was working full time during the day as a paralegal.  I worked extremely hard and successfully completed my studies in May 2013. Then I took the bar exams, passed, and was sworn in as an Attorney in November 2013.

So you run Delory Law alongside your dad. Was it always clear that you were going to join the family business?

I never intended to work with my dad, the circumstances just kind of presented itself. I enrolled in law school as a night student in the fall of 2010 and continued to work full time during the day. Unfortunately, after I completed my first semester I was laid off from the firm I was working at.

While I was searching for a new job, my father, who is an attorney, offered me the opportunity to start working in his office part-time, allowing me to transition to a full-time law school student. The rest is history. 

By working together, we are able to deliver better service to his existing clients while also having the tools of the trade necessary to attract a new and younger generation of clients. This is critical for our growth as an office because Millenials are now reaching their prime life stage to purchase their first home, and our office is ready to serve them!

You mentioned working as a paralegal and eventually getting laid off. What was that experience like?

I graduated from college with a plan to leverage my Communications Studies degree to land a job in the advertising/marketing field.  Unfortunately, in 2009 we were in the midst of a brutal economic recession that made it really difficult to find even an entry-level job. 

A friend of mine reached out and said she worked at a law firm that had an opening for a paralegal. I interviewed and got the job!

The firm specialized in mortgage foreclosures but the job itself was very mechanical. After a few months, I had basically learned everything I could. The lawyers I was assigned to work for basically started rubber-stamping my work without even really reviewing. That’s when I decided I wanted to take control and get into business more for myself. 

I decided that law school was the best option for me because I could venture into business for myself but could use my legal background to write strong contracts.

Do you have any final advice for anyone who wants to grow and succeed in their life right now?

If you want something in life, you have to go after it.  Wake up every day and work towards your goals.  Enjoy what you have accomplished but remember nothing is promised.  You can’t get to the next level by spending all your time celebrating that you’ve reached the level you’re on.

You can follow Andrew’s journey on his IG, Facebook, and Twitter: @delorylaw

The idea of Bigtime Daily landed this engineer cum journalist from a multi-national company to the digital avenue. Matthew brought life to this idea and rendered all that was necessary to create an interactive and attractive platform for the readers. Apart from managing the platform, he also contributes his expertise in business niche.

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Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

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Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.

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