Following a career that helped shape many of New York City's most consequential cultural and civic projects, Sue Golden has retired from Venable. Her accomplishments span everything from the redevelopment of the World Trade Center to museum expansions, major public–private partnerships, and long-standing work with mission-driven nonprofits. To mark the moment, Sue sat down for a conversation with Hilary Atzrott Hamburg, a fellow partner in Venable's New York Real Estate Group and one of the next-generation lawyers who will carry the team forward.
Hilary: Sue, we have worked together for nearly a decade, but I don't think I've ever asked how you found your way into real estate law.
Sue: I was always interested in the environment. When I first started practicing law, I was assigned to projects that involved the built environment and found it very interesting. So, that's how I landed in real estate. I love the idea that there's a physical aspect to the work that we do, and I really enjoy that there is a long history of real estate law, even though it evolves slowly.
Hilary: A lot of people know your work because of the cultural and mission-driven projects you've shepherded. Was that deliberate, or did it happen organically?
Sue: A bit of both. One of my long-term clients is Empire State Development—New York State's economic development agency—so their mission gives shape to the kinds of projects I handle for them. On the cultural side, the focus of my clients, such as the American Museum of Natural History, The Public Theater, and The Studio Museum in Harlem, among others, is on their cultural purposes and not on developing real estate. However, they still need real estate—a performing arts center needs a stage, a museum needs a wing to house its exhibits, etc.—and I have helped them make those capital projects happen. As you know, we speak the language of the government entities that regulate nonprofits and cultural institutions. We understand their funding structures, and the laws and policies that govern how they approach real estate projects, which makes us well suited to represent those kinds of organizations.
Hilary: I know you've worked on countless significant and impactful projects over the years. Is there one that stands out above the rest?
Sue: They're all my children, so I can't choose favorites! But the World Trade Center project stands apart simply because of the scope and the duration. I started working on it right after 9/11, and two decades later, I'm still involved. It really has been a long-term commitment and has involved so many different, complicated transactions—the Memorial, the performing arts center, office buildings, infrastructure, a park, a train station, retail, and even a church. And there are still two more towers and other transactions to be completed, which I know you will handle well in my absence.
Hilary: I've always admired the long-term relationships you've built, not just with projects, but with clients.
Sue: That's been important to me throughout my career. Clients stay with us for decades. They come back with all kinds of questions, and the collaboration across Venable means we can provide support well beyond real estate—whether that's employment issues, environmental matters, or, lately, cybersecurity and data management. It's been incredibly helpful that our clients can tap into such a wide range of practices across the firm.
Hilary: Can we talk about your approach to mentorship, how you bring people in, give them ownership, and teach as you go. You learned from Gordon Davis early in your career. What did that relationship mean to you?
Sue: Gordon was my mentor from the day we met in 1994. We moved to Venable together, and he taught me so much—particularly how to explain complex legal issues in a way that aligns with a client's mission and operations. He also taught me how policy and politics influence real estate, and how to anticipate those shifts. But of course, mentorship is a two-way street. The members of our group are constantly learning from each other, and that includes everyone from the most senior to the most junior. That continual exchange of knowledge has made our practice incredibly strong.
Hilary: You've mentored me for years and gave me the confidence to step into big roles long before I ever imagined myself ready. I know you've done the same for many others. How do you go about "passing the torch"?
Sue: I've always believed that if you bring someone onto a matter, you have to give them real responsibility. You let them dive in, so they can understand the big picture, and grow into the work. That's how you build the next generation. I've spent the last year or two making sure our transition plan is solid. By now, you and the rest of the team are more than ready. You know the history, the documents, and the players. So, I know the handoff will be very smooth.
Hilary: So, what comes next for Sue? Knowing you, "retirement" won't exactly be quiet!
Sue: Not quiet, no. I'll continue serving as town justice in Roxbury, New York. And I'm about to become president of the board of a not-for-profit arts organization, which I'm very excited about. I also want to travel and hike while my knees still allow it! My kids are grown, my career has been incredibly fulfilling, and now I get to do all the things I postponed over the years.
Hilary: And for the team you leave behind, I'll just say what so many clients said to me at your retirement party: we're going to miss you terribly, but we know we're in great hands because you made sure of it.
Sue: That means the world to me. I've always trusted this team completely and I know that you'll keep doing extraordinary work.
Learn more about Venable's Real Estate Practice and our Public Private Partnership (P3) work.