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York relishes work on complex financial transactions

York relishes work on complex financial transactions

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Melissa York - Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren (Staff Photo by Kevin Harnack)
Melissa York –
Reinhart Boerner
Van Deuren (Staff Photo by Kevin Harnack)

Melissa York credits her mentors with teaching her the ins and outs of how financial institutions work and the role attorneys play in helping them.

“I was blessed with truly remarkable mentors, and I’ve gleaned a lot of knowledge from my colleagues,” said Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren’s York. “I’ve also spent a lot of time curled up on the couch reading regulations.”

Those efforts paid off.

York, a fourth-year associate at Reinhart, has helped a variety of clients from small family-owned banks to large public companies. She worked with John Reichert, the banking and finance shareholder at the firm, on several noteworthy transactions. One had her representing a public bank holding company in a complex “merger of equals,” and another had her working on the first-ever sale of a commercial bank in Wisconsin to a credit union.

“It’s intellectually rewarding to work on complex cases,” York said. “Every day is different, and I learn something new. It makes the day more satisfying.”

Susan Lohrey, vice president and legal counsel at Nicolet National Bank in Green Bay, praised York for her ability to understand the complexities of financial transactions.

“Our transaction had its fair share of challenges, but Melissa worked diligently behind the scenes to keep things on track,” she said. “She was also the mastermind behind drafting a majority of the documents, which were extremely complex in nature.”

When Lohrey finally met York in person at a special shareholder meeting to approve the transaction, she came away “impressed with Melissa’s professionalism, and calm and charismatic demeanor.”

York has given presentations at various high-profile events for the Wisconsin Bankers Association — a sign that the “industry holds her in high regard,” Reichert said.

“With her highly developed interpersonal skills and an infectious enthusiasm, she thoroughly enjoys getting to know her clients, their specific needs, wants and goals, to best tailor her legal advice,” Reichert added. “She works tirelessly for her clients.”

York, who credits mentors like Reichert for teaching her the ins and outs of working in the financial-services industry, passes on what she’s learned to summer associates, law students and junior attorneys.

“I’m still learning, but I think it’s so important to pay it forward what I have learned,” she said. “My schedule is busy, but I know it is also important to invest time internally in the firm since the development of others helps everyone.”

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