Nancy is the right choice to enhance business operations and reduce risk and outside legal fees for a small to middle market company, which recognizes the benefit of having dedicated in-house counsel, but for which it does not make business sense to hire a full time Chief Legal Officer.  

• Having more than 25 years of experience with a major law firm and as in-house counsel, including serving as General Counsel to an Apollo portfolio company and a Goldman Sachs operating platform, and Senior Counsel at Steven Mnuchin's OneWest Bank, she brings a unique perspective, “translating” advice given by expert outside counsel, who typically have not worked in a business environment, into the real world capabilities and objectives of the organization. 

• She focuses not just on identifying risks, but on working with the rest of the C-Suite to navigate those risks, assessing legal risks as business risks, so the team may determine which risks must be avoided and which may be mitigated, or can be taken, in order to advance the company’s strategic business objectives. 

• She does not replace your expert outside counsel.  Instead she works with the C-Suite to keep the business healthy - and out of trouble from its day-to-day operations - and identifies when expert assistance is needed.  She manages those outside experts to undertake their work in a streamlined manner, which is cost-effective to the company, and at a risk level appropriate to the company's risk tolerance.

Why a Chief Legal Officer?

In today's world, every business, large and small, faces legal and regulatory risks which can destroy the business if they are not anticipated and managed effectively. At the same time, even the best intended, but necessarily risk-averse, lawyers on either side of a transaction can kill deals that should be made. In addition, many lawyers are better at identifying risks than they are at navigating them and working with the company's executives to assess legal risks, including day-to-day operating legal risks, as business risks and understand which must be avoided, and which may be mitigated, or taken, for the company to achieve its strategic objectives. 

Executives at small to middle market companies wear many hats, and often spend so much time putting out fires it can be difficult to focus on the company's larger strategic goals and objectives. Even the best outside counsel necessarily have a narrow focus in their area of expertise, and cannot fully understand a company’s pressures, risk tolerance and overall strategic objectives. Most outside counsel have never worked inside a business, and may not understand the impact their advice may have to the business operation.

The only antidote for this is having the right kind of legal leadership - a generalist who understands which legal and regulatory risks must be avoided, while also understanding which risks the business can consider taking in order to move forward.  A seasoned in-house counsel who understands the importance of providing practical, real-world solutions to the legal challenges faced by every business, large and small.

Why Nancy?

Nancy's deep and broad background, at a major national law firm and as in-house counsel in a variety of industries, and her "roll-up-your-sleeves" work ethic, make her ideally suited to hit the ground running and immediately add value to your business. Nancy's reputation as a trusted advisor, and proven track record of seamlessly integrating into the C-Suite, make her the ideal choice for any business which could use a little extra horse-power.

Whether it is providing strategic advice, undertaking basic legal services and corporate governance, and establishing measurable sustainable processes and procedures, or pitching in to help with a significant transaction or project, Nancy will help your business leaders understand and assess legal risks as business risks, and facilitate your business running more efficiently.

Get in touch to set up a consultation and confim she is the right choice for your needs.  After an initial discovery session, Nancy will provide a specific proposal for services, tailored to your company's specific needs and budget.