Women in Business: CREW New Jersey Recognizes Some of Its Top Women in Business

Sills Cummis’ Cecilia Lassiter is one of the CREW New Jersey members highlighted. The following was seen in the Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal (volume 33, issue 9):

Cecilia Lassiter, Esq.
Member of the Firm and Co-Chair, State and Local Tax & Incentives Practice Group
Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.

Years with company/firm: 6 years

Years in field: 12 years

Years in real estate industry: 12 years

Real estate organizations/affiliations:
2021 President-Elect of CREW NJ; 2022 President of CREW NJ; Center for Real Estate, Rutgers Business School, Advisory Council Member; Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Advisory Board Member; The Foundation for University Hospital, Trustee; The Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, Board of Directors

Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in:
I began my journey into law when my husband was involved in a lawsuit with his business partner, and over the course of two years of litigation and a five day trial, all the attorneys that we dealt with in the case told me that I should go to law school. This prompted me to seriously consider law school for the first time in my life. After graduating from law school, I started working for a small, boutique law firm that specializes in bonds and redevelopment representing government entities. Today, I am on the other side of the deal representing private developers on large scale redevelopment projects.

What is your current position?
I am a Member of the firm of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., and Co-Chair of the firm’s State and Local Tax & Incentives Practice Group.

What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2021?
My greatest accomplishment in 2021 was reaching a goal that I had set for myself with respect to origination. Another highlight was making the ROI Influencers: People of Color list.

What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2021?
I am proud to say that our firm handled one of the first and largest Emerge awards in the State of New Jersey, promising to create one of the largest fintech hubs in the country, including creating 1,927 new jobs and retaining 1,063 existing jobs that were at risk of being located outside the State of New Jersey.

How do you manage the work/life balance?
It’s hard, but it has gotten easier recently – at least in my situation. I think companies have realized that people can work from home and be efficient. Working from home the past year and a half has allowed me to spend more time with my kids.

What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession?
You have to be good at what you do, but you also have to be personable. I think every job in some aspect involves saleswomanship! I am a very outgoing person, and I think this has helped me in my career.