Q & A
What interested you in Design & Luxury law?
I've always had a passion for fashion and admire the creative minds driving the industry. I enjoy supporting and championing the vision these artists and creators have while helping them navigate the legal complexities they face. Through 15 years of representing design and luxury entrepreneurs and companies, I have gained a deep understanding of their businesses and industries. I know that many of them need a legally-minded partner like me who can help guide and protect them throughout the lifecycle of their business.
What kinds of matters do you help your Design & Luxury clients navigate?
While our DeLux practice is a multi-disciplined practice, I personally have assisted Lewis Rice’s DeLux clients with a variety of important legal issues, including negotiating influencer agreements, product collaboration and development contracts, software licenses, intellectual property licenses, third party logistics and warehousing agreements, and guiding start-up companies through formation and early-stage investments.
How are you involved in the fashion and beauty industry outside of your legal practice?
I serve on the Board of Directors of Saint Louis Fashion Fund, which is a board-driven non-profit that serves as the leading voice and advocate for the fashion industry in St. Louis and whose mission is to promote job creation and economic growth for the region. As part of the Fund’s 10th anniversary in 2024, we sponsored, presented and/or co-produced a series of events showcasing St. Louis’ vibrant fashion community, including a fashion lobby day in Jefferson City to advocate for the $13.3 billion fashion industry in Missouri, a sit-down discussion and runway presentation from the designers behind the luxury brand Veronica Beard, and the Speaking of Fashion Speaker Series, which brought renowned designer Michael Kors to meet with fashion professionals, enthusiasts and students at Washington University.
Describe the work you do in your public finance practice.
I represent municipal bond underwriters and issuers in various financings involving retail, commercial, residential, and municipal projects. I also provide counsel regarding continuing disclosure obligations, due diligence investigation, blue sky law issues, and structuring of municipal bond transactions.
I served as co-disclosure counsel for Kansas City International Airport modernization project special obligation bonds, which was a deal exceeding $1 billion. I have also represented underwriters in connection with issues of:
- Revenue bonds involving a public-private partnership to construct the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
- Revenue bonds to construct phase two of Ballpark Village in St. Louis.
- Revenue bonds to fund various improvements to the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.
- Convertible special revenue refunding bonds to fund the renovation of the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis.
- Gulf Opportunity Zone revenue refunding bonds for a mixed-use project in Jackson, Mississippi, involving the renovation of historic property.
- Refunding certificates of participation to fund improvements to several library facilities owned by the City of St. Louis Municipal Library District.
- General obligation bonds by a community college district to fund campus projects and improvements.
- Certificates of participation by a school district to fund energy improvement projects.
- Tax increment refunding revenue bonds by a municipality to develop a retail shopping center.
- Sales tax bonds by an economic development district to fund various capital improvements.
What do you enjoy most about being an attorney?
One of my favorite parts of my job is working with women business owners and business leaders. They are breaking the mold in terms of traditional gender expectations, and they are carving a path for young women and girls who want to follow their example. I am inspired by women with entrepreneurial spirits, and I enjoy providing support to help them be successful in their respective industries.
What are some of the challenges women business owners and leaders face?
Aside from the ever-present work-life balance conundrum we all wrestle with, women often have less access to venture capital, difficulty identifying mentors, and breaking into certain business networks. That is why it is important to have a strong team behind you, including reliable professionals such as attorneys and accountants who can support your vision and help you identify and prepare for opportunities to grow your business. One of my favorite quotes is from Oprah Winfrey, who says that “luck” is just the act of preparation meeting the moment of opportunity.
What do you like to do for fun?
My husband and I are big sports fans, so before we started having kids, we enjoyed attending Mizzou football games, Blues games, and Cardinals games. We participated in a bowling league and tried to golf as often as possible. Exploring the local restaurant scene and indulging in a fine bottle of wine were also favorite pastimes. However, since becoming a parent, my hobbies include chauffeuring my kids to their after-school activities, cooking meals that no one will eat, and listening to Taylor Swift on repeat.
