Katelyn is an experienced corporate attorney who helps individuals and businesses achieve their transactional goals. A recipient of the 2018 Emerging Leaders Award from M&A Advisor, she is known for her responsive and practical way of doing business. Katelyn's clients remark upon her straightforward approach that is customized to their business needs. Katelyn counsels individuals and companies in the areas of general corporate law and mergers and acquisitions, supporting them in buying, selling, capitalizing, and growing their businesses. Her client-centered approach focuses on building relationships with her clients on both a professional and personal level so she can understand the business issues underlying her clients' needs

Why M&A?

There is an inherent excitement in the pace and strategy of M&A transactions.  No two deals are the same and there is a continuing learning curve - whether on substantive deal matters, managing client relationships, or industry. The work I do allows me to partner with my client as a true advisor – it’s a rewarding feeling to help others achieve their goals and accomplish their objectives. In the end, you get to see the true results of your work.

What is one piece of advice would you give to individuals who want to get into this industry?

As a young attorney in M&A, take time to understand the larger picture of what you are doing. Junior attorneys are often tasked with handling discrete parts of a deal. By taking the time to understand the larger transaction, where your piece fits into the transaction, your client’s business, and the industry in general, you will set yourself apart.  Don’t be intimidated by M&A. There is a steep learning curve, but with each transaction, you start to anticipate next steps. The learning curve doesn’t end - you will always be learning so embrace it.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Amanda Norcross, a former NMRS colleague, has been a mentor and a incredible source of inspiration for me as a woman in M&A. She has done a praise-worthy job of building a significant book of business on her own – which is a tremendous accomplishment on its own – but not only that she has been a true leader within the firm – whether its training associates or creating the Diversity M&A externship program with UGA to increase diverse attorneys in the Atlanta M&A group.  All this while raising two children.  There are not a lot of senior female/diverse leaders in M&A and she has worked hard to change that. She is the example of a “girl boss.

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

This is two-fold.  Since I was young, whenever I have encountered a difficult period in life, my mom always reminded me “this too shall pass.”  As I grew in my career, I was told by many that it will be incredibly freeing to accept that there is no such thing as “balance” rather than to constantly work to achieve it.  The M&A/deal world can be all consuming – you are expected to respond and be available at all times. However, it is also cyclical. The reality is, at any given time, you are going to be dedicating more time to one part of your life than another (work, family, or friends) and there isn’t ever going to be a true 50/50 balance. Without truly understanding this (and “that this too shall pass”), I think I would have been more inclined to give up on M&A after having children and pursued what I perceived at the time to lead to more “balance". It’s important to be completely present in whatever you are doing at that moment and compartmentalizing to the extent that you can.  Everything will balance out in the end.

What inspired you to become an attorney?

I did not grow up in a family of lawyers.  My interest was first peaked when I was a senior in high school and I worked as a file clerk for a family friend’s law practice.  I was intrigued by the practice of law. During college, I spent a summer working for the Dekalb County Child Advocacy Center which provided legal representation and advocacy for children in the foster care system.  While what I do now is vastly different from the advocacy work I did that summer, that summer experience cemented my desire to go to law school and become a lawyer.  Seeing the direct impact an individual could have on the outcome of another’s life was inspiring. While I did not take the public service route in terms of practice, I’m privileged to be at a firm that supports and encourages pro bono work and have the ability to incorporate service into other aspects of my life, including board service and volunteering through my church and children’s school.