Ryann Whitmore

General Counsel, Utica Leaseco

Biography:

Ryann Whitmore, general counsel at Utica Leaseco, graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where she was also editor-in-chief of Law Review.  She brings this same determination to closing deals safely and effectively at Utica Leaseco.  Ryann has over 12 years of experience in commercial asset-based lending and is a vital resource when it comes to handling due diligence for complex, multi-bank commercial financing transactions.  She is also an expert when it comes to in drafting and negotiating language for asset purchase agreements, mortgagee waivers, intercreditor agreements, syndication and participation settlements, and more. Ryann’s expertise and careful consideration of every potential outcome are essential to the day-to-day legal operations of Utica Leaseco and the success of its customers, something that Ryann takes very seriously.  Ryann’s experience representing lenders as well as borrowers allows her to fully understand both sides of every transaction and respond to each item precisely.

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

While this profession is both rewarding and challenging, it can be overwhelming at times.  It is easy to get overworked, overstressed and burn out.  I believe women encounter even more difficulties because family demands seem to fall more on our shoulders.  Like many working women, I struggled working such long hours and still managing to provide my family the attention it needed.  Maintaining a healthy balance between work/family and time for yourself is very tough, but essential.  Looking back, I should have taken on less and been more forgiving of myself.  Find healthy outlets for stress, make time to take care of yourself and your loved ones.  I found that talking with other women in similar situations, and relying on each other is extremely helpful.  I cannot stress enough how important it is to have strong female friendships in the workplace.  I am thankful every day for mine.  

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

 To trust myself more.  Confidence in my ability as an attorney and asserting myself wasn’t something that just came naturally to me when I first started out.  I found this to be especially difficult as a woman in a male-dominated field.  As I reflect back, I should have had more faith in myself, training and skills to successfully get things done.

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

 I have been so fortunate to have had excellent mentors who have been instrumental in my professional development.  I consider all of my mentors through the years as my confidants and good friends.  A major lesson I learned from my first supervisor was recognizing the value and contributions each person makes to our team regardless of their position and the importance of connecting and developing good relationships with all of them.  A strong mentor, of course, will teach you the practical aspects of the job, but also will enrich your life overall.

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

In order for the industry to not only attract, but also retain, top talent, companies need to recognize the changes in the world and environment we live in.  I’d encourage exploring alternative work arrangements, such as working remotely for a portion of the work week.  This is something that I’ve been fortunate to have with Utica Leaseco, as they accommodate a partial remote work plan that allows for flexibility, efficiency and success in meeting our clients’ needs.  Our clients’ deals take place all across the country, are very fast-paced, and oftentimes require working weekends and after normal business hours. Having remote connectivity allows us to establish trusted relationships and close deals quickly and efficiently.  I believe the trust and flexibility my company fosters results in greater productivity and overall happiness, at work and in my personal life.