Elizabeth Khoury

Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Biography:

Elizabeth R. Khoury represents leading financial institutions and corporate borrowers in domestic and international commercial finance transactions. Her practice focuses on syndicated debt financings, asset-based financings, acquisition financings and multinational credit facilities, employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) loan transactions, mezzanine financings, and other strategic financings that span a number of industries and business sectors.  Elizabeth handles domestic and international loan workouts and restructurings, and she advises clients in general corporate and compliance matters. Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Elizabeth worked as a corporate associate in the Boston office of a prominent law firm. She focused on finance and corporate matters encompassing mergers and acquisitions, finance and restructuring, securities (including public and private equity and debt offerings), and venture capital transactions. Massachusetts Super Lawyers named Elizabeth a Rising Star in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

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

Start building your network and relationships (both internally and externally) from the onset of your career and find a trusted mentor or sponsor within your organization who can advocate for you.  Networking is so important to start early in your career, and it makes your job more fulfilling.  In addition to networking, it is imperative that you make yourself indispensable to your team.  Work hard, produce top-quality work, become an expert in a finance specialty, and learn your craft very well.  Finally, be confident and know your worth at all times! 

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

Strategic self-promotion at all stages of your career is important to your success.  Be outspoken and let your voice be heard.  It is acceptable, and even encouraged, to express your personal career goals and views from the very beginning if you want to be taken seriously.  Also, while working hard, producing top-quality work and learning your craft well are all important, it is equally critical to get out there and socialize with the finance community at an early stage in your career.  Try to connect with others in your specific field, attend industry events and local conferences like the SFNET, and actively develop new relationships – it makes your job so much more enjoyable and you learn a lot along the way.     

What kind of role has mentoring and/or sponsorship played in your career?

Mentoring and sponsorship have been crucial to my career trajectory and success.  My mentors (both men and women) have been invaluable sounding boards that have guided my perspective and inspired me to strive for more.  My sponsor consistently advocates for me with clients as well as leaders of our firm and has helped me distinguish myself as a reputable professional and prospective leader.  Both my mentors and sponsor have offered me important career and personal advice as I continue to navigate law firm life.  It is so important for companies to match up entry-level employees with mentors.  While most long-standing mentor-mentee relationships happen informally and organically, it is critical to ensure that everyone has someone more experienced that they can trust for advice and support throughout their career.  

What do you think the industry could do to attract and retain the best and the brightest today?

Start recruiting early, develop training and mentorship programs, and promote a team-centered and flexible work environment that encourages ongoing feedback.  Financial institutions that are the most successful at recruiting top talent and retaining it start connecting with promising candidates early – whether during college or graduate school.  They offer summer internships and clerkships that introduce candidates to their culture and work environment.  Long-term training and development programs are also vital to retaining the new generation of talent.  The best and brightest want to work for companies that are invested in their professional long-term development and are open about advancement opportunities.  They want ongoing communication and consistent feedback at their jobs.  It is also critical to create an enjoyable workplace that offers challenging work with real potential for promotion.