Liz Donaldson is based in Greenville and part of the corporate practice group. She advises a variety of entities with regulatory and compliance matters related to the consumer finance industry, including state and federal consumer protection laws, regulation and licensing, anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act compliance, and traditional and non-traditional lending. A member of the High Potentials Program class of 2025, Liz received her JD from the University of Georgia's School of Law.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?

Since I was young, I always liked solving puzzles and reading mystery books. I love taking lots of information or data and sifting through it to determine what is important to reach a resolution. Practicing law is just like one big puzzle. Every day, my clients come to me with a vision of what they want to accomplish and some ideas of how they want to develop new financial products or meet the needs of certain users.

I love the process of sorting through the information they provide and the complexity of legal regimes facing financial institutions to help my clients find a solution that not only complies with the law but also meets their business needs. Everyday feels like putting together a new and ever-changing puzzle.

Why did you select your practice area?

I chose to work in the financial institutions space because of the real, practical impact that my advice has on developing tangible financial products. My practice is somewhat unusual in that the financial products and services that I help my clients build are the same products and services that most people use in their everyday lives, such as paying a friend using an app or checking out at an online retailer. My clients are doing things that are cutting edge and fill a need for customers all over the country.

It's thrilling to help these companies navigate the complexity of state and federal regimes and see a tangible product developed at the end of the process. It’s always satisfying to see the products I helped build get advertised on TV.

What is one piece of advice that greatly impacted you and your career trajectory?  

The best advice that I have ever received was to lean into your expertise and use it to build your confidence. It has been continuously reaffirming throughout my career to hear successful partners talk about their own struggles with confidence. It's a good reminder that everyone has periods when they feel like an expert and other times when they feel inadequate.

In times where I have struggled with my own confidence, it has been a great reminder that no one is confident all the time and that being prepared has allowed me to develop an expertise in the areas I work in. By thoroughly preparing for meetings with clients, I am able to feel confident because I can focus on my expertise and knowledge.

What activities or hobbies do you enjoy outside of your legal work?

Outside of work, I love doing activities that allow me to be fully immersed in something that limits my ability to stress about things like work or cleaning my house. I enjoy reading mystery books, doing needlepoint, and chasing after my toddler!