LOUISVILLE (Aug. 18, 2017)—Stoll Keenon Ogden Member Lynn H. Wangerin is among 20 individuals named by Business First of Louisville as 20 People to Know in Law.
Honorees were selected based on responses to surveys from selected professionals working in area law practices, universities and courts, according to Business First Associate Editor Brent Schanding. “The objective is to introduce our readers to people who are achievers within their organizations but who are not typically on the front lines for their businesses,” Schanding said.
At SKO Wangerin is member of the Business Services practice with a focus on Intellectual Property & Technology, Equine Transactions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities & Corporate Governance and Privacy & Information Security.
She has written numerous articles about data privacy and security issues facing businesses.
People to know in law: Lynn Wangerin Partner
Lynn Wangerin
Partner, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
Years in current job: 23
Years as an attorney: 35
Describe the primary focus of your practice. Tell us about your role in that practice. The primary focus of my practice is to help businesses complete transactions while reasonably allocating the risks of the transactions and protecting the ongoing relationship of the parties (when applicable). Currently, much of my practice has gravitated to the information technology and privacy and data security areas, although I am regularly involved in drafting and negotiating other types of contracts, such as supply contracts and equine-related agreements. I also provide advice on compliance with federal and state securities laws in raising funds. I find learning about the plans and risks of a business in preparing disclosure documents very interesting.
What advice would you give to rising lawyers? When I had been practicing a short time, I represented the issuer in a small public offering. Counsel for the underwriter sent an underwriting agreement that included “underwriter’s warrants” allowing the underwriter to get shares in certain circumstances. I could not understand how the warrants would work. I called underwriter’s counsel who could not explain it and said since the SEC had accepted the agreement before, they wouldn’t change it (words were missing I think). Long story short, my advice is to understand all provisions of documents you propose, so you can explain why any provision is included.
What’s the biggest concern in your industry? I think one of the big concerns in the legal profession is how to adapt to our clients’ changing expectations and use technology and knowledge to more efficiently deliver value to our clients.
Describe a gratifying experience with a client. More than once I have helped set up the business structure for one person to go into business with another, when one of the two is providing most or all of the funds, and was able to structure the relationship so that my client was protected and the business able to continue, when unfortunately the other owner turned out to have been less than forthcoming about their qualifications or an outright crook.
What do you wish more people understood about the work lawyers do? I would like people to understand that not all aspects of practicing law are about “fighting” and one side winning. Especially with respect to transactions in which the parties expect and want to have a productive ongoing relationship, working out a deal with both sides getting a good and fair deal should be, and often is, the “gold standard.”
Every profession has its jokes. Tell us one about lawyers. “Please do not confuse your Google search with my law degree.”