They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - Erika P. López of Baker McKenzie

Erika P. López

Law Firm: Baker McKenzie

Practice Area: M&A and Private Equity

Title: Partner

Location: Chicago

Law School: Cornell Law School

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.

Playing a pivotal role in my client’s strategic transactions is what I love most about my job. For example, I was on the legal team advising Thoma Bravo, a leading private equity investment firm focused on the software and technology sector, on its acquisition of Proofpoint, Inc., a leading cybersecurity company, in an all-cash transaction that valued Proofpoint at approximately $12.3 billion.

Take-privates are some of my favorite transactions because they allow me to showcase my diverse M&A expertise representing both private equity sponsors and public companies. Partnering with Thoma Bravo and leading the team on various workstreams to complete this complex transaction in a short timeline was incredibly rewarding.

I also led a multi-practice team in advising my long-time client New Water Capital on its historic acquisition of Dutch Gold Honey. Dutch Gold is a staple in the consumer goods industry known for inventing the iconic squeezable plastic honey bear container found at the grocery store. I’ve partnered with New Water Capital on numerous successful transactions, but this one was particularly interesting due to the brand’s popularity. I felt incredibly honored to provide my counsel throughout the entire transaction to successfully complete this deal with my client.

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?

One of the most important lessons I learned as a first-year attorney was to take ownership of my work. Establishing yourself as a leader of your workstreams, regardless of how insignificant they may seem, not only makes the work that much more interesting but it also helps you build your brand early on.

The power of taking ownership of even the smallest tasks showed my internal teams and clients that they could rely on me to see the work to the finish line. That reputation has led to significant opportunities later in my career. Today, I utilize the same tools and strategies in my practice, just in a broader scale.

How do you define success in your practice?

I often think my clients seek my counsel because I try to understand their commercial objectives and become equally invested in the outcome as they are. When I reflect on the parts of my day that fuel my energy, they often revolve around collaborating with my clients—problem-solving and strategizing together, offering my advice—those moments are extremely rewarding to me and keep me going. Building strong relationships with my clients and becoming a trusted advisor to them is how I define success in my practice.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?

I am incredibly proud of my career trajectory. Moving from Ecuador to the United States as a teenager, I had no idea what life had in store for me. While the move exposed me to wonderful opportunities, relocating to a new country at that age also came with many challenges.

With my family’s unwavering support and a community of mentors, I was able to overcome many of those obstacles, explore new opportunities, and ultimately pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. I attended Cornell Law School, and my education opened so many doors for me.

After law school, I joined Kirkland & Ellis, where I spent most of my career, and almost two years ago, I was able to make a strategic lateral move to Baker McKenzie, an outstanding global platform. As an attorney with a global outlook, I had long admired Baker’s unparalleled global reach, and I feel incredibly fortunate for the journey that led me here.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?

I am a big believer in community, and I truly feel like I have had the privilege to have not just one but many great mentors throughout my career. In my earlier years, some were instrumental in my decision to attend law school.

Throughout my practice, some have been invaluable in helping me navigate internal firm dynamics, while others have been, and continue to be, key partners in the growth of my business. Others have served as role models or as external support systems.

The best thing I’ve learned from my mentors is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the practice of law, and that is why it is critical to build relationships and seek mentorship from more than one person, so that ultimately you can make informed and supported decisions. Nowadays, as I serve as a mentor to the next generation of attorneys, I certainly try to emulate the best qualities I saw in my mentors and hope my mentees can also feel a sense of community with me.

Tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” by Karol G is definitely on repeat this summer. The tropical vibes are perfect, and the singer is a Latina who has achieved record-breaking success. [And] “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. Carefree, feel-good, nostalgic vibe that just feels like summer to me. My husband and I love driving around, windows down, with this song in the background.

Erika López enjoying a quiet escape on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.

Photo Illustration: Jonathan Hurtarte/Bloomberg Law; Photo courtesy of Erika López