Catherine Schlomann Robertson

Partner, Pahl & McCay

Biography:

Catherine Schlomann Robertson is a partner of the firm of Pahl & McCay. Her father, Kenneth Schlomann, helped found the modern commercial finance industry in St. Louis in 1972 as vice president of Dimmitt & Owens and then in the Silicon Valley starting in 1976 as president of Bay Area Factors, and Catherine worked with him during her summers in high school doing gopher work, and then, as an account manager during summers home from college, until she graduated with a degree in finance.  After Catherine graduated from University of San Francisco Law School (where she received her juris doctor in 1988, while serving as editor-in-chief for the USF Law Forum and as extern to Thomas E. Carlson, United States Bankruptcy Judge) her father became her first client and she applied her intimate knowledge of the mechanics of asset-based lending to the position as a litigator to yield practical and efficient resolutions. 

Catherine’s law practice focuses on financial institution litigation, collection, pre-judgment remedies and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy, and supplements her courtroom and collection expertise by serving as outside general counsel for numerous clients in the commercial finance industry.

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry?

Network, network, network, and, in the process, create a group of other women who can support and mentor you. Far too many women work in self-isolation; it’s unnecessary and counter-productive. Break that cycle. Having your own personal professional support group can be an amazing resource; form it and use it.

Studies have shown women are more reluctant to tout their accomplishments in the workplace. What advice would you give to help women be more comfortable with speaking up?

Don’t fall prey to self-doubt. You were hired for your job, and kept it, because your company recognized you were smart and capable. An occasional lack of confidence is normal, and it may be hard sometimes to speak up or challenge a more senior colleague, but navigating those very challenges forms the backbone for a strong professional.  Be confident in yourself and your voice.

What do you know now that you wish you knew in the beginning of your career?

I wish I had learned to say “no” more often earlier in my career.  Once you decide who you want to be professionally, saying no allows you to focus on the things that are important. Not all business is worth having.  Learn to say no when something about the scenario seems wonky, when the client isn’t a good fit, when you know your time would be better spent somewhere else, or when you are simply overloaded. By saying no, you can create valuable time to focus on what matters most to you, your company and your clients.

What is your approach/advice to change in the workplace?

Great ideas don’t implement themselves. In other words, you cannot simply present your idea once and expect it to be adopted. To see change, you’ll need to champion your idea, sell its merits, stand up to scrutiny and criticism, and stand behind it. Be prepared to explain it in different ways for different audiences and have a game plan to make it work. 

How do you balance work/personal time?

An ambitious professional will always be confronted with imbalance, competing priorities, and conflicting responsibilities. I strive to set reasonable, but challenging, goals for myself, both personally and professionally, and then constantly ask myself if what I am doing, in this moment, furthering those goals.  I identify what is important and set reasonable boundaries for myself and my work. That means, often, blending rather than balancing personal and professional time.

How can commercial finance organizations offer meaningful professional development and career advancement?

To succeed in the commercial finance industry, you must be knowledgeable and mentally agile, with the ability to communicate clearly and compellingly -- to your clients, your colleagues and your competitors. Commercial finance organizations give you a platform from which to learn about topical issues, legal developments, practical solutions and effective practices, all of which can have an immediate effect on productivity and contribute to long-term success.