Leslie Plaskon

Partner, Finance and Restructuring, Paul Hastings LLP

Biography:

Leslie Plaskon is a partner in the Finance and Restructuring practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s New York office. She has extensive experience in the representation of senior lenders, alternative and specialty lenders as well as borrowers in connection with leveraged buyout financings, workouts, debt restructures, debtor-in-possession financings and intercreditor issues. She also has extensive experience in representing the agent bank, lending group and steering committees in Chapter 11 cases or out-of-court restructurings and workouts.

Plaskon has handled major transactions for financial institutions such as Wells Fargo Finance, UBS, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Toronto Dominion and General Electric Capital Corporation as well as alternative lenders such as GA Capital and Great Rock Capital.  She has been named by US Legal 500 to the list of leading attorneys for Restructuring; Clients note: Leslie Plaskon is “a visionary in strategy and forward-planning.” She was also named by International Finance Law Review1000, as a Leading Lawyer (Restructuring and Insolvency) and The M&A Advisor, 2012 International M&A Advisor Awards.  The M&A Advisor awarded the successful out-of-court restructuring of PlayPower, Inc. as the “International Restructuring Deal of the Year.” The deal team included Paul Hastings partner Leslie Plaskon. (October 2012). Plaskon received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, attended the London School of Economics and received her B.A. from Tulane University (Phi Beta Kappa).

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

Spend the early years of your career learning as much as you can about all aspects of the business.  Although you will be encouraged to specialize, learn as much as you can in all aspects of finance and related spheres, like restructuring, private equity and M&A.  By being versatile and proactive in your professional development, you will have more insight and be able to add more value to the overall deal team.  When eventually you are in “Board” or “C-Suite” meetings, you will need that versatility, knowledge and confidence to provide well-rounded leadership and guidance.  Also, try to work with as many different leaders as possible; you will find there are different paths to being successful and effective. It’s important to find your own style and voice. 

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?

Stop worrying about giving the perfect speech or being “wrong.”  Women professionals often under value their ability to meaningfully contribute when in fact they are often more capable and qualified than others in the room. Also, the saying, “work smarter, not harder” was something once said to me early on, and it is very appropriate. The traits that have led many women to be successful (conscientiousness, organization and long hours) are not the ones that land you a leadership position. Being bold, creative and confident (with hard work) are more important in terms of catapulting your career.  Take risks—ask for the lead role, the harder deal, the promotion and the raise.  Ask to go on the pitches that are long shots. You will win one eventually or may fortuitously make a friend that will help in another situation. Worse case, you get practice at making pitches!  

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

Yes, you must be adaptable, but focus on what is important and valuable to you. I have been the happiest in my career when working in a highly collaborative, inclusive team-oriented environment.  Don’t underestimate the importance of a positive environment with good, strong leadership.  I have been very fortunate over the years to have been part of tremendously supportive teams where the leadership has fostered my professional growth and network development.  

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

I love the clients and learning about different businesses.  I am amazed and grateful every day for the wonderful clients we have and how much I enjoy working with them.  I also love the challenge of structuring a new deal, learning about a new business or solving the puzzle of how to best restructure a distressed one.  My favorite part of a deal or restructure is the beginning, where you take a deep dive into the operational and capital structure, trying to absorb all of the most relevant parts of the deal and the business so that you can  effectively and strategically map out a plan to guide the client through the transaction or restructuring.

How do you balance work/personal time?   

Juggling your career and family is a bit like white water rafting.  Sometimes everything is smooth paddling, but more often you are navigating white water so to speak, with demanding challenges on both the home and work front.   Realize that sometimes you may be completely consumed with work, and vice versa. To find that balance, it helps to be ready with a team on both fronts when the white water arrives.