Women Who Lead | Law: Mary Ann Jackson of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC, Andrea Malkin of Lewis Thomason PC, Caren Nichol of Evans Petree - Memphis Business Journal - The Business Journals
If there ever was a time for leadership, the pandemic era has been that occasion. And the practice of law, in all sectors, was not immune to the effects of COVID-19.
For Memphis Business Journal’s next group of Women Who Lead, honoring executives in law seemed to be a logical choice. Also logical is highlighting the accomplishments of women who have broken through the glass ceiling and helped define their organizations.
Each woman chosen by MBJ’s editorial team has qualities that define leadership — from pushing through challenges and moving legal precedent forward in difficult times to career-altering decision-making.
Within law, the nine Women Who Lead honorees are executives at Memphis’ most prominent law firms and attorneys supporting key local organizations in the government and nonprofit realms. Such legal experts help craft the direction of businesses and other entities while navigating the law — an essential function in today’s complex society. They are trusted advisors to C-suite executives and often mentors to associates and strong collaborators with fellow partners at law firms.
The Women Who Lead feature, which began in 2021 and continues throughout 2022, has been an ongoing monthly feature in MBJ and is sponsored by Simmons Bank. This year, the section will highlight industry leaders in banking, biosciences, construction, medical devices, residential real estate, and technology, among others. – Jason Bolton, Managing editor
Mary Ann Jackson
Shareholder, chair of corporate group, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC
The list of Mary Ann Jackson’s responsibilities is far too lengthy and impressive to include in this space. As a business and tax lawyer for 25 years, all of her experiences combined have enabled her to “strategically represent clients in buying and selling businesses in complex transactions in a variety of industries,” she said. In particular, she has extensive experience forming and structuring business organizations.
Though it’s difficult to pinpoint one singular career achievement, she’s proud of providing advice and support to help her clients who operate private businesses grow into successful enterprises. And she praises the firm for helping her along the way.
“I wouldn’t be in the position to work with such remarkable clients,” she said, “if it were not for the support of my Baker Donelson team.”
Jackson says the biggest trend she sees is unprecedented, robust activity with mergers and acquisitions, which law firm experts predict will continue in 2022.
Quotable:
“One goal that is prominent is the strategic growth of our corporate practice. Corporate lawyers are often trusted advisors to their clients and need to have expert lawyers in a variety of practice areas and with industry-specific focus to address their legal needs. The growth wish list includes adding lawyers in certain locations and with specific expertise, in each case with a focused commitment to improving diversity and inclusion in our corporate group.”
Andrea Malkin
Managing shareholder, Memphis office, Lewis Thomason PC
As managing shareholder and an operations leader of Lewis Thomason’s Memphis office, Andrea Malkin proudly wears many hats. Practicing in civil litigation for health care, she represents physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners in liability claims.
At the 70-plus employee law office of lawyers, paralegals, and other staffers, Malkin plans to continue developing her managerial and operational duties and advance her practice in health care.
“The impact of COVID on litigation and the law practice has moved many job functions to virtual,” she noted. “We conduct much business via Zoom and phone calls.”
Though she’s received many professional honors, including appointments to the board for the Memphis Bar Foundation and Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission, she said her biggest achievement is “balancing family life with two sons and a law practice, while serving as the managing shareholder in Memphis.”
Quotable:
“For many years, a top priority of our strategic plan has been to develop and maintain a more diverse Lewis Thomason by actively recruiting minority and women attorneys to the firm and promoting them within the firm. Of the firm’s 108 attorneys, 36 are women, including 21 female shareholders. We’ve actively recruited minority law clerks in each of our offices, hosted minority high school interns, and developed a minority scholarship.”
Caren Nichol
Partner, Evans Petree PC
Working all by your lonesome has it perks, as does working with a team, both of which Caren Nichol recognizes.
“I used to be a lone wolf and fought battles on my own,” she said. “I recently joined a team of professionals that all work together like a fine-oiled machine. Fitting into that team and finding a way to expand their good work is truly my biggest achievement.”
As a partner in Evans Petree’s property tax group, Nichol assists commercial property owners with projections, budgeting, and appealing tax values. Her primary roles include litigating cases before county and state Boards of Equalization and client development throughout the region.
An industry trend Nichol sees is that “Tennessee’s popularity is surging!” she said. “Tennessee real estate is moving from local ownership to out-of-town investors, as large companies acquire a piece of the action.”
Quotable:
“I keep a list of companies that I would like our group to represent. Normally, I put companies or properties on that list because they are interesting or unique. My goal is to get the time to get back to checking properties off that list and adding them to our long list of clients.”
Memphis-Area Law Firms
Ranked by Memphis-area attorneys
| Rank | Rank | Memphis-area attorneys |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC | 74 |
| 2 | Butler Snow LLP | 57 |
| 3 | Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh PLLC | 55 |
| View This List | ||
source: https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2022/03/08/women-who-lead-law-jackson-malkin-nichol.html
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