Cadwalader partner Sulie Arias is profiled in Lawdragon for building a standout real estate finance practice through determination, mentorship and a grounded approach to the law.

Sulie, who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, did not initially plan to become a lawyer. After earning a perfect score in a business law class at Baruch College, while balancing her studies with raising a young child, she was encouraged by a professor to pursue law school, setting her on a new path.

Now a partner in Cadwalader’s Real Estate Finance Group, Sulie represents institutional lenders in complex transactions across asset classes, including multifamily, industrial, hospitality and CMBS. She is known for bringing a practical, real-world perspective to her work, often emphasizing the importance of understanding the physical properties behind each deal and prioritizing long-term client relationships.

Sulie credits key mentors and Cadwalader’s collaborative culture, including its sponsorship program, for helping accelerate her development and path to partnership. She joined the firm seeking both opportunity and representation, noting the impact of strong female leadership within the group.

In today’s evolving real estate finance market, Sulie advises clients through heightened uncertainty, where rising interest rates and maturing loans are driving more creative deal structures, including leverage financing and private credit solutions.

Outside her practice, Sulie is active in the community, serving on the board of El Museo del Barrio and maintaining a pro bono immigration practice.

Read more on Lawdragon.