2026 Women in CRE: Featured Company - Bernkopf
We’re proud to recognize Lydia Chesnick, April (Wilmar) DaSuta, Sheryl Starr, Meredith Swisher, and Brooke Foster for their incredible contributions to Bernkopf. Each attorney brings distinct strengths, perspectives and experience that strengthen our team and the way we serve our clients across the commercial real estate industry. They excel at what they do, support the people around them, and make a meaningful impact on our clients and our firm every day.
Partner
What professional accomplishment or experience are you especially proud of?
I represent multi-generational families in the thoughtful transition of real estate and high value assets to the next generation. My work requires understanding each family’s history, values and goals as well as a long-term vision to preserve and build upon assets that the prior generation worked arduously to create. I provide strategic, personalized guidance to protect family interests, facilitate succession from one generation to the next, and build a framework that preserves wealth for future generations. While outcomes can differ, the process is meaningful and rewarding.
What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
I strongly believe that we are all best at the things we enjoy doing. With that as my starting point, my advice is to identify what areas most interest you and build relationships and establish networks to help further your goals. Seek out mentors, be bold in asking for guidance and immerse yourself in a diverse group of organizations to cultivate resources and community. Most importantly, learn from the bumps along the way and seize on the serendipitous opportunities. In my experience, the most significant professional turning points arise from chance encounters and unexpected events.
Partner
What professional accomplishment or experience are you especially proud of?
I recently began working with a major automotive company as lead counsel on an exciting set of transactions, advising on their real estate and business needs. I have guided the client through acquisitions, sales, leases, refinancings, loans (including hard money loans), license agreements, corporate matters and more. I recently managed significant refinancings for properties across multiple states in the aggregate of $125 million. I am proud of the scale and complexity of this work, and of the trust I have built with the client as a true partner in his continued growth.
What are you most excited about in your work or the commercial real estate industry right now?
What excites me most is watching development projects come full circle. There is something remarkable about starting with raw land, assembling individual parcels piece by piece, and then watching the vision become a finished, thriving property. Being part of that transformation from start to finish, guiding a project through each stage and ultimately seeing what it has become is one of the things I enjoy most about this field.
What has helped shape the way you approach your work and career?
I have learned how important it is to build strong relationships and invest time in understanding each client’s business, goals, priorities and risk tolerance. When you understand what matters most to a client, you can negotiate more effectively and develop solutions that align with the client’s broader objectives. That understanding makes it especially meaningful to work with clients from the outset. Being part of their growth, from where they started to where they want to go, and continuing to work with them as their businesses evolve, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
Seek out knowledgeable, supportive mentors who will share their experience, encourage your growth, and help you build meaningful connections. These relationships are essential to long-term success. Treat every obstacle as a chance to grow, approaching challenges with resilience and persistence. Above all, stay focused on your goals and never give up.
Partner
What professional accomplishment or experience are you especially proud of?
I’m proud of becoming the firm’s first woman partner in the Litigation Department. Beyond the personal significance of that milestone, I’m encouraged by what it represents for women who are building careers in commercial real estate and litigation. Earning that role has been incredibly meaningful to me, and I hope it serves as an example that there is a place for women at every level of the industry.
What are you most excited about in your work or the commercial real estate industry right now
Commercial real estate litigation sits at the intersection of law and business. The most rewarding matters are often those where resolving a legal issue creates a clear path forward for a development or transaction. I’m excited about how technology, particularly AI, is changing the way real estate professionals and lawyers approach complex problems and find practical solutions for clients.
What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
I encourage any woman considering a career in commercial real estate to be intentional about building relationships. Finding a mentor who can provide strategic guidance and open doors to new opportunities can be invaluable. I also encourage young professionals to stay current on market trends, as understanding the market will strengthen credibility. Most importantly, I recommend getting involved in professional organizations that provide opportunities to build strong relationships and connect with other women in the industry.
Partner
What are you most excited about in your work or the commercial real estate industry right now?
I’m excited by the transformations taking place across commercial real estate. I see tremendous opportunity in the redevelopment and repositioning of properties, particularly as communities rethink how office and other underused spaces can serve new purposes. I’m also encouraged by the next generation of women entering the industry. Their energy, creativity, and willingness to challenge traditional approaches give me great optimism about what’s ahead.
What has helped shape the way you approach your work and career?
My 45 years in real estate law have taught me that every transaction is ultimately about people. Early in my career, I learned the importance of listening carefully, understanding what matters most to a client, responding to clients and colleagues in a timely manner, and building relationships based on trust. I’ve also learned that challenges often become the experiences that shape us most. Those lessons have made me a more thoughtful lawyer, colleague, and mentor, and continue to guide how I approach my work today.
What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
I’ve learned that building a career is as much about confidence and relationships as it is about expertise. There were times I had to prove myself, speak up, and take risks when I wasn’t entirely sure of myself. My advice to women is to trust your instincts, work hard, lift others as you climb, and try not to let doubt keep you from an opportunity.
Associate
What professional accomplishment or experience are you especially proud of?
One experience I’m proud of was helping acquire a large apartment complex for a significant client. The deal had a compressed due diligence and title objection period, requiring quick, strategic decisions. The property also was subject to complex Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Development Agreements. I led the title review and coordinated with the seller, title company, lender, and client, securing estoppels and title insurance endorsements. It was rewarding to help close a sophisticated deal for a major client and gain experience on a high-value transaction.
What has helped shape the way you approach your work and career?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that being a good attorney doesn’t mean having every answer immediately. Early in my career, I sometimes felt pressure to know more than I realistically could have known as a young associate. With experience, I’ve become much more comfortable asking questions, seeking input and taking the time to understand an issue before responding. That has made me a better attorney and has also given me more confidence in my own judgment.
What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
The first few years in the profession may feel like learning a foreign language at times. There is a lot to learn, and it’s easy to compare yourself to more experienced professionals and forget how far you’ve come. Stay curious, ask questions and embrace that push outside your comfort zone. Don’t let the early moments of uncertainty convince you that you don’t belong, because you do. Confidence comes from experience, and experience comes from taking on new challenges. Once you gain confidence and find your voice, use it to advocate for yourself and ease the path for women who come after you.