They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - Lauren Boehmke of Sullivan & Cromwell

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.
It was an incredible accomplishment to be a core member of the S&C team that negotiated the transformative, complex AT&T/ Discovery transaction for WarnerMedia in a very short time span. The deal required close collaboration among the S&C, AT&T and other advisor teams at every level.

Another transaction that significantly influenced my career was advising Connecticut Water on its merger with SJW Group. I played a leading role alongside the then-head of the M&A group at S&C in negotiating and advising our client on what was initially a merger-of-equals style transaction that was twice amended after encountering interlopers and proxy contests on both sides of the deal.

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?
At S&C, all first-year associates in the General Practice Group start with an unassigned period for their first 18 months in which they can try different types of work on an assignment-by-assignment basis. When I started, I knew that I wanted to be a transactional lawyer, but I was not clear on which area of corporate practice would be the best fit for me. In fact, M&A had been lower on my list of things that I expected to enjoy. But once I tried an M&A transaction I was immediately hooked. I learned that M&A is a truly collaborative practice, and I loved being part of the team and diving into the variety of work streams required to put the deal together.

From that experience, I learned to keep an open mind about my practice and the importance of being a generalist. In recent years, I’ve worked increasingly with boards and general counsels on corporate governance matters, including board diversity metrics, risk oversight and ESG considerations. I love this part of my practice, in part because it has allowed me to expand my skills.

How do you define success in your practice?
Success has several layers, starting with client satisfaction. M&A deals often don’t end up exactly as envisioned, but you want clients to feel that you did your best to negotiate a transaction that enables them to pursue their business objectives. In addition, you always want to be deepening your relationships with your clients, so that they feel they can turn to you as a trusted adviser, including on complicated and high stakes matters that face the company. On another level, you also want the other lawyers on your team to be proud of the work they did and the collaborative effort involved in completing the transaction. These elements are all part of my definition of success.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?
I am so proud, honored and touched to have received S&C’s inaugural Alexandra D. Korry Award for outstanding leadership and commitment to the advancement of women. Alexandra was such a trailblazer and inspiration for women in M&A, and I am committed to continuing her legacy.

In working with Alexandra as a younger lawyer and being mentored by the talented partners she mentored for decades, I learned from her that you can meet difficult challenges with hard work, passion and a commitment to excellence, and that mentorship of younger lawyers is equally critical to success.

I believe that I have an obligation to make sure that women at the Firm in general, and especially in the M&A group, feel there are opportunities for them to advance and be successful, and every day I strive to advance that goal through my example and by actively supporting and encouraging others. I have received such immense support throughout my career at S&C and one of my top priorities is giving that back.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?
I have had the great fortune of being mentored by a number of exceptional partners at S&C, but my greatest mentor in the law is Melissa Sawyer (the global head of the M&A group and co-head of the Corporate Governance and Activism group). I have worked with Melissa since I was a first-year associate, and I would not be a partner at the Firm or the lawyer I am today without her mentorship, guidance and leadership by example.

From Melissa I learned how to be a strategic and creative thinker, manage teams and communicate effectively, remain calm under pressure, develop deep client relationships, and bring a commercial sensibility to the table while demonstrating exceptional technical legal skills, as well as the importance of mentorship and embodying the Firm’s collaborative culture.

Just for fun, tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.
“Blackbird” by the Beatles. It reminds me of my childhood and was inspired by the civil rights movement. I also saw Sir Paul McCartney perform the song live recently at a partner experience event with summer associates.

“Last Great American Dynasty” by Taylor Swift. It is a great summer song set in a beach town and a fantastic example of female-centric storytelling in songwriting.

Lauren Boehmke has played a key role in some of Sullivan & Cromwell’s most significant, recent M&A matters. She serves on the firm’s Women’s Initiative Committee and Associate Advisor Program. She also co-chairs the corporate subcommittee of the New York City Bar Association Sports Law Committee.