Mover & Shaker: Kristin Wells, Deputy Practice Group Leader, Corporate & Securities Group, Reed Smith LLP

 

“Play the course and not the other players,” says Kristin Wells, when asked about her personal drive. “Don’t constantly compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on what you’re doing right, and improve on what you need to within yourself.”

Wells has embodied the definition of a ‘mover and shaker’ since she began her career as a Corporate Securities Associate at Pepper Hamilton. She became a partner the first year that she was eligible and had a baby that same year.

Wells later joined Reed Smith where she is now a partner, primarily to take advantage of the firm’s global platform, with attorneys in Asia, the Middle East and Europe, as well as in 14 offices across the United States. “The world keeps getting smaller, and a global platform is critical to servicing multi-national clients and is particularly important to effectively conducting cross-border transactions,” she said. “Being able to connect with partners in your firm all over the world can be a huge advantage for clients who need service and counsel on a global basis.”

Going to Bat for Her Clients and Team
In addition to cross-border transactions,, Wells specializes in advising major and minor league sports franchises—the New York Cosmos and the Pittsburgh Penguins are both on her client list. “When I was a young associate, I never intended to specialize in sports, but you work on one acquisition of a sports franchise and things snowball and the next thing you know you have developed a unique capability and practice.”

While she acknowledges that she executes exciting deals on a regular basis, she is most proud of her role as a trusted advisor to strategic thinkers at the highest level of the corporate world. “I appreciate that my clients are loyal to me … that my advice and counsel are sought out by people who are often making billion-dollar decisions,” says Wells.

When Wells first entered the corporate world, she assumed that people in business would be motivated by values similar to her own, which she describes as a positive outlook that is fairly trusting and loyal. “I look out for the greater good and don’t hesitate to make a personal sacrifice for the greater good of the group.”

What she quickly learned was that this viewpoint could be overly idealistic and naive, and that people have entirely different views based on their own personal experiences. “It can be disappointing sometimes,” she admits, when she realized that not everyone behaved as she would. “It’s business and different people have different motivations.”

She sees this as a challenge and leverages her leadership style to help solve problems and create a supportive environment of teamwork, generosity and open mindedness, giving credit to those who deserve it.

“We have to create a place where we endeavor to embody those qualities, and show people that embracing the greater good for the organization will actually benefit them personally. We want to expand the whole pie, not carve up the pieces.”

Wells credits her parents with fostering her positive viewpoint. Her parents were both successful professionals; her mom worked in real estate and her father in insurance and financial planning. She says that as one of five kids, her parents had high expectations, but modeled a life style that was full of integrity.

“I grew up in Pittsburgh, and a week doesn’t go by that I don’t run into someone who hears my name and asks if I’m related to one of my parents. Then they talk about how amazing they are. They’ve inspired me to think about others and the good that is possible and not only about myself. People remember my parents because of their thoughtfulness and integrity as well as their knowledge and success.”

Sponsors Help Shape Her Game Plan
Wells cites prominent sports industry attorney Chuck Greenberg, most often credited with representing Mario Lemieux in the acquisition of the Pittsburgh Penguins, National Hockey League team, as well as being part of Rangers Baseball Express’ purchase of the Texas Rangers, Major League Baseball team, as critical to her ascension.

As a very junior attorney with Greenberg, she worked on the acquisition of the Pittsburgh Penguins and dove into the demanding, round-the-clock transaction. “He identified that I could compete and excel in this arena.” From that moment on, she was committed to always providing Greenberg and his clients with outstanding support. She understood this would enable him to advocate for her, using his position internally at the firm and externally among clients to increase her credibility and benefit her reputation.

She says Greenberg helped her understand the benefits of moving her practice to Reed Smith. “He told me I could do it, and that I should consider it an opportunity to expand my practice. My relationship with him as a sponsor has helped me in defining my career and is partially responsible for my success.”

At the same time that she appreciates the support, Wells came to realize that she didn’t have to adopt the style of her mentors, even though she was frequently the only woman in a room of 10 or 20 men. “I realized that the style of my mentors was the opposite of my strengths. I had this moment of clarity when my husband said, ‘Why can’t you be yourself and use your own style?’” She says that is great advice to everyone – to embrace who you are and capitalize on your strengths, rather than trying to be someone that you’re not.

She says that realizing she didn’t have to emulate those she admired allowed her to develop her own style that is more effective, and more comfortable.

Partnering Throughout the Firm
Wells cites several programs that Reed Smith offers to support the women at the firm, which have earned it numerous accolades, including the designation as one of the “Best Law Firms for Women,” from Working Women magazine.

Wells admires the PipelineRS program at Reed Smith, which is designed for women who have been practicing for at least four years and want to make partner. The program identifies the internal and external challenges women face, and provides access to expert advice, tools and resources to maximize the strategic development of their careers. Wells serves as an informal mentor and sponsor to many female attorneys. She finds this role very gratifying, as her mentees ascend to become a partner or in-house counsel.

The Women’s Initiative at Reed Smith, known as WINRS, provides business development grants to help women build their business; grants are awarded to cover travel costs for a speaking engagement or conference, or to visit contacts out of town. “The firm tracks the ROI on these grants and evaluates where the resources are best placed. They are very serious about ensuring that the activities are focused on helping women build their own book of business and raising their profile in a business environment. It’s a great example of the firm putting their money where their mouth is.”

The firm also offers a ReturnRS program to help bridge the gap for women and men returning from maternity, paternity or adoption leave.

Outside the Office
Since her work is fast paced and challenging, Wells knows she needs outlets to deal with the stress. She enjoys traveling with her family, which includes her husband and nine-year-old daughter. She actively chairs lunches and events and is on the Boards of Catholic Charities and St. Lucy’s Auxiliary for the Blind.

But she says that yoga calms her most. “I’m a huge yoga advocate. It keeps my mind clear and helps me come up with creative solutions. Everyone needs a stress outlet that is something just for you.”

By Cathie Ericson