Cadwalader partner Sulie Arias was recently featured by the Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate law at St. John’s University School of Law, reflecting on the academic experiences that led her to a career in real estate finance.

Sulie said her St. John’s courses in Property Law, Contracts and Real Estate Transactions gave her a strong foundation in how legal principles intersect with business and finance. “Those classes showed me how law can be both analytical and creative,” she noted, adding that real estate transactions appealed to her interest in solving complex problems and helping clients achieve their business goals.

She finds motivation in teamwork and tangible impact, collaborating closely with lender clients, borrowers and colleagues to structure inventive financing solutions for challenging deals. She also values mentoring junior attorneys and guiding them through the demands of real estate finance practice.

Offering advice to law students, Sulie emphasized the importance of curiosity, initiative and relationship-building. “The relationships you form early on can shape your career in ways you can’t yet imagine,” she shared.

Looking ahead, she expects repricing, restructuring and creative opportunity to define the 2026 real estate market as the industry continues adapting to higher interest rates and maturing loans.

Read the full feature here.