Alert
Idea Exchange
Turning 125: Nelson Mullins Celebrating 125 Years of Legal Service in 2022
In January 1897, attorney P.H. Nelson left his position as solicitor of the Fifth Judicial Circuit to set up a private law practice in Columbia, S.C. The State newspaper contained a short but prescient news item on Jan. 26 about the endeavor, which noted that "the new firm should meet with great success."
And they were right. Today, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP offers legal services in 15 states and the District of Columbia from 31 offices with 930+ attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals. It is the 71st largest law firm in the nation based on 2020 gross revenues, according to The American Lawyer’s Am Law 100, a legal news organization that tracks law firm growth.
Throughout 2022, Nelson Mullins will be sharing seminal events from its history that highlight its growth from a one-man firm in 1897 to where we are today. Click here to learn more.
The LatestView All
May 6, 2022
New data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) indicates that the divide between rural and urban areas in COVID-19 primary vaccination coverage has more than doubled in under a year.
Vaccine Hesitancy and the Growing Divide
Colleen Pleasant Kline
Partner
Suite 1600
Baltimore, MD 21201
Colleen is a transactional lawyer who serves as outside general corporate counsel and advisor to middle market clients. She assists her clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, succession planning, venture capital investments and general corporate governance matters. She regularly advises clients on Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.
Her diverse client base includes privately held companies, portfolio...
Colleen is a transactional lawyer who serves as outside general corporate counsel and advisor to middle market clients. She assists her clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, succession planning, venture capital investments and general corporate governance matters. She regularly advises clients on Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.
Her diverse client base includes privately held companies, portfolio companies, private equity firms, American subsidiaries of foreign owned entities and public companies, government contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and real estate entities and serial entrepreneurs.
companies, private equity firms, American subsidiaries of foreign owned entities and public companies, government contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and real estate entities and serial entrepreneurs.
Experience
-
- Construction and Construction related services
- Government contractors
- Industries co-owned by foreign and domestic parties
- Professional Services
- Manufacturing and Distribution
- Transportation and Logistics
- Technology
- Travel
- Building Services
- Waste and Recycling
- Has advised privately held companies on all corporate legal matters related to the entire life cycle of their business including:
- General corporate governance
- Business succession plans
- Formation
- Growth, financing and recapitalization
- Operation
- Internal owner disputes
- Partnership dissolution as well as other exit strategies
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Has advised clients on a variety of matters related to the Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.
Education
- The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, JD (2001)
- Hood College, MBA (1999)
- Cornell College, BA, cum laude (1996)
Admissions
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
Practice Areas
Industries
-
- Construction and Construction related services
- Government contractors
- Industries co-owned by foreign and domestic parties
- Professional Services
- Manufacturing and Distribution
- Transportation and Logistics
- Technology
- Travel
- Building Services
- Waste and Recycling
- Has advised privately held companies on all corporate legal matters related to the entire life cycle of their business including:
- General corporate governance
- Business succession plans
- Formation
- Growth, financing and recapitalization
- Operation
- Internal owner disputes
- Partnership dissolution as well as other exit strategies
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Has advised clients on a variety of matters related to the Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.
Media
Recognitions
- IFLR1000 USA, Highly Regarded in M&A (2021)
- The Best Lawyers in America® – Venture Capital Law (2020–2022)
- The Daily Record: Named an Honoree for Leadership in Law (2019)
- MyCity4HER: Honored with Spirited Woman in Balance Award, honoring those who pay it forward and help others (2017)
- SmartCEO Baltimore: Named winner of BRAVA Award, honoring exemplary female leaders (2017)
- Maryland Super Lawyers® - Rising Stars – Business/Corporate (2013–2014)
- The Daily Record: Named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women (2013)
Professional Activities
- ACTIVATE® Advisory Board Member (2009–2010)
- American Bar Association
- Association for Corporate Growth
- Baltimore Bar Association, Member of the Business Law Section
- Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce, Inc., Legal Counsel (2003–2008)
- Greater Baltimore Technology Committee (2002–2006)
- Maryland State Bar Association, Chair of the Mid–Market and Small Business Committee of the Business Law Section (2007–2010)
- National Association of Women Business Owners, Member (2007–2012)
- Women in Business, Center Club (2011–present)
Community
- Meals on Wheels for Central Maryland, Director/Officer (2012–present)
- Giving Spirits Foundation, Inc., Director/Officer (2013–present)
- Women Presidents Organization (2012–present)
- Friends of Southwest Baltimore, Inc., Director/Officer (2002–2005)
- Walters Art Museum Development Committee Member (2009–2015)
- Walters Enthusiasts, Chair (2012–2015)
- William T. Walters Association with the Walters Art Museum: Member (2007–2015); Co–Chair (2009)
Colleen is a transactional lawyer who serves as outside general corporate counsel and advisor to middle market clients. She assists her clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, succession planning, venture capital investments and general corporate governance matters. She regularly advises clients on Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.
Her diverse client base includes privately held companies, portfolio...
companies, private equity firms, American subsidiaries of foreign owned entities and public companies, government contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and real estate entities and serial entrepreneurs.
Experience
Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.-
- Construction and Construction related services
- Government contractors
- Industries co-owned by foreign and domestic parties
- Professional Services
- Manufacturing and Distribution
- Transportation and Logistics
- Technology
- Travel
- Building Services
- Waste and Recycling
- Has advised privately held companies on all corporate legal matters related to the entire life cycle of their business including:
- General corporate governance
- Business succession plans
- Formation
- Growth, financing and recapitalization
- Operation
- Internal owner disputes
- Partnership dissolution as well as other exit strategies
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Has advised clients on a variety of matters related to the Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.
Education
- The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, JD (2001)
- Hood College, MBA (1999)
- Cornell College, BA, cum laude (1996)
Admissions
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
Practice Areas
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Corporate & Securities
- Antitrust
- Corporate Governance
- Private Equity
- General Counsel Services
- Investment Management
- Emerging Companies
Industries
- IFLR1000 USA, Highly Regarded in M&A (2021)
- The Best Lawyers in America® – Venture Capital Law (2020–2022)
- The Daily Record: Named an Honoree for Leadership in Law (2019)
- MyCity4HER: Honored with Spirited Woman in Balance Award, honoring those who pay it forward and help others (2017)
- SmartCEO Baltimore: Named winner of BRAVA Award, honoring exemplary female leaders (2017)
- Maryland Super Lawyers® - Rising Stars – Business/Corporate (2013–2014)
- The Daily Record: Named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women (2013)
- ACTIVATE® Advisory Board Member (2009–2010)
- American Bar Association
- Association for Corporate Growth
- Baltimore Bar Association, Member of the Business Law Section
- Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce, Inc., Legal Counsel (2003–2008)
- Greater Baltimore Technology Committee (2002–2006)
- Maryland State Bar Association, Chair of the Mid–Market and Small Business Committee of the Business Law Section (2007–2010)
- National Association of Women Business Owners, Member (2007–2012)
- Women in Business, Center Club (2011–present)
- Meals on Wheels for Central Maryland, Director/Officer (2012–present)
- Giving Spirits Foundation, Inc., Director/Officer (2013–present)
- Women Presidents Organization (2012–present)
- Friends of Southwest Baltimore, Inc., Director/Officer (2002–2005)
- Walters Art Museum Development Committee Member (2009–2015)
- Walters Enthusiasts, Chair (2012–2015)
- William T. Walters Association with the Walters Art Museum: Member (2007–2015); Co–Chair (2009)
Highlights from the Firm’s Idea Exchange
