Stacy J. Kanter, B.S.’79

The Art of the Deal

By Jim Sciancalepore, M.A.’93

“I love puzzles,” said Stacy J. Kanter, partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, one of the largest law firms in the world. “I enjoy working through a challenge and bringing something to a successful conclusion.”

It’s this love – and a unique combination of problem-solving and people skills, underscored by tenacity and perseverance – that has made Kanter a nationally recognized leader in the legal community.

She was recently named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer magazine, which honored Kanter for her work in guiding Realogy Holdings Corp. through a successful initial public offering (IPO). The task was a multi-year, multi-layered challenge as she helped the real-estate giant (parent company to brands such as Century 21 and Coldwell Banker) navigate the intricacies of a debt restructuring during a real-estate downturn … and ultimately raise $1.2 billion dollars, making it the biggest private equity-backed IPO of 2012.

In her work for Realogy and other clients, Kanter employs expertise that intersects law and business, building on a foundation she formed as a business major at UAlbany.

“I was looking for a quality education from a public university, and UAlbany was my best choice,” she explained. She also credits experiential opportunities at the University – such as serving as an R.A. and on student boards – with helping to foster her leadership skills.

The mother of two currently lives and works in Manhattan. She is both co-head of her firm’s Global Corporate Finance practice and co-chair of its Global Diversity Committee. Whatever puzzles are coming her way in the future, Kanter is ready.