New York Law Journal Names Kerry Berchem a New York Trailblazer

(New York) – The New York Law Journal has named Akin Gump corporate partner Kerry Berchem to its inaugural list of New York Trailblazers, recognizing those who are “truly agents of change,” who have “made significant marks on the practice, policy and technological advancement of their practice.”

Ms. Berchem was recognized for her “pioneer spirit,” having seen early on in her career the importance of developing a practice niche where she could work with former debtholders that had moved into the position of equity holders. She now has a practice centered on working with mostly public companies that recently restructured, whether through bankruptcy or out-of-court debt restructuring.

Among the trails Ms. Berchem blazed, according to the NYLJ, was her ability to recognize early on that when companies are in the midst of a restructuring, governance and exit strategy are focal points. “These are companies. …They still have an operating business,” she said. Other lawyers followed her lead, growing related practices such as corporate, tax, employee benefits and real estate.

Looking to the future, Ms. Berchem said that as long as the economy does well, corporate boards will be forced to govern themselves as the higher moral authority of those who lead. Whether through legislation or peer pressure, she said, corporations will address issues such as pay differentials, the pay divide and the pay gap. If the economy falters, she added, companies will “revert to making money for shareholders.”

Ms. Berchem was previously recognized by the New York Law Journal as one of its Top Women in the Law. (Click here to learn more.)

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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