2025 Women in CRE:
April DaSuta, Bernkopf

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? For over a decade, I’ve served as lead counsel on a transformative master plan development project, “On The Dot,” a 21-acre project near Andrew Sq. in South Boston. The project includes 11 buildings totaling 3.8 million s/f. I’ve led the client through land assemblage, acquisitions, financing, joint ventures, and development negotiations, navigating financial and legal complexities to ensure successful approvals and future implementation. Beyond my practice, I am proud to give back to my community by serving on eight nonprofit boards.

What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? Before becoming an attorney, I worked as a commercial real estate paralegal at a large law firm in Boston, which sparked my interest in the field and led me to pursue a legal career focused on commercial real estate. I find commercial real estate to be an exciting area to practice law – every deal is different, every property is unique, and I have consistent opportunities to develop creative solutions for each client, structuring deals and contracts in a way that advance my client’s goals in the most advantageous manner.

What’s a challenge you faced early in your career, and how did you overcome it? I began my career at a large law firm, believing it was the right path. Early on, I realized that while I enjoyed my career and working hard, I also loved spending time with my family and volunteering. Striking the right balance between these priorities was hard, but I ultimately found it at Bernkopf – a smaller firm offering both professional opportunities and a better work–life balance. Working at a smaller firm opened doors for me to advance in my career more efficiently and gain meaningful experience working on sophisticated transactions from soup to nuts, often opposing large law firms.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in commercial real estate? Stay focused on your goals and never give up. Hard work and dedication always pay off, even when the path forward feels difficult. Every obstacle is a learning experience from which you can grow, so approach challenges with resilience and persistence. Also, find strong mentors who are willing to share their knowledge and support your growth, and invest time in building strong connections – they are essential to long-term success.