Real Property Law Section Chair Looks Forward to a Productive Year Following a Successful Summer Meeting
7.23.2025
It was not happenstance that Susan Golden, chair of the Real Property Law Section, carved out time for an interview the day after the section’s successful summer meeting at Crystal Springs Resort in New Jersey concluded. After all, she has a full agenda to address in the next 11 months.
“The program was terrific. It was an absolutely gorgeous resort with delicious food. Our speakers were impressive. Some of our committee chairs spoke about how the National Association of Realtors settlement is impacting residential closings and conducting due diligence on buildings with rent stabilized tenants. We had a moving presentation on the relationship between the law and homelessness. Overall, it was a great program,” said Golden, a partner at Venable.
In addition, Aaron Eberle, subject matter advisor – energy, environment, real estate and construction, from Lexis Nexis, reviewed large language models and offered insight into how law firms are launching pilot AI programs.
“We were fortunate to have some outside experts join us. We also got to know each other so that when we’re working together as a section throughout the year, we know who we’re working with — this just makes the experience much more effective, but also fun,” added Golden.
However, Golden said what really stood out was the in-person connection the meeting provided for the members along with the opportunity to connect with newer members, which aligns with one of the section’s goals of devising strategies to further engage that group.
Golden also plans for the section to develop a leadership program for newer members, review some of the section’s processes and identify CLE topics that align with its members’ interests.
“We’re interested in developing a leadership initiative for our newer members that will show them how to advance in leadership within the section and throughout the bar association. We’re also looking at our processes for commenting on pending legislation and how we can make that procedure both substantively and procedurally smoother,” said Golden. “And then, we are defining how we can best deliver CLE programming that meets our members’ needs. So, we have a long list.”
The section has enjoyed a 22% membership increase since the association’s new membership model was launched this year. Such growth affords the section the ability to expand its reach and CLE offerings.
“We were already a large section, so for us it’s an opportunity to introduce what we have to offer to people who haven’t yet explored our section. Hopefully, we can then get them involved. That’s the biggest plus for us,” said Golden.
She knows firsthand how CLE programming can provide a gateway for members to become more involved with the association.
Her initial connection with NYSBA derived from attending those programs, which sparked her interest in other areas.
“I got to know a few of the committee chairs and was invited to join a new committee that was forming, because some individuals knew that it fit my practice area. I found the committee interesting, the people involved were great and the next thing I knew I was co-chairing it,” said Golden. “If you’re active, and people can see that you’re interested, they bring you along. There are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of.”
