Valerie Mason

Member, Otterbourg P.C.

Biography:

Valerie S. Mason is a member of the Banking and Finance department and specializes in the representation of domestic and foreign banks, commercial finance companies, and hedge funds, in the structuring and restructuring of financing transactions, including revolving credit facilities and term loans for acquisitions, refinancings, and restructurings and general working capital needs, workout arrangements, acquisition financing, lender finance transactions, and Chapter 11 debtor-in-possession and “exit” financing facilities.

In addition to her substantive law responsibilities, for the last 14 years, she has been the Hiring Member of the firm, and serves as a member of its Diversity Action Committee.

Valerie is a member of the SFNET Women in Commercial Finance Committee, past president and current member of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Prison Association & Home, Inc., serving as Chair of the Development Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee, and a Trustee of The Brick Presbyterian Church in the City of New York.

Valerie recently received the New York State Assembly Woman of Distinction Award from State Assembly Woman Rebecca A. Seawright.

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

Take advantage of all of the training programs offered by your employer, become active in the SFNET (both locally and at the national level) and join the Women in Commercial Finance Committee. SFNET and WICF provide great opportunities to keep you updated on substantive business and legal issues as well as other issues facing the industry as a whole. Also, attending the various SFNET educational programs and events throughout the year will facilitate your ability to enhance existing business relationships and friendships and develop new ones with others in the commercial finance industry and the lending community-at-large.  You should be invested in building genuine connections, i.e., a real give -and-take. You are asking for advice and introductions, and you should be pro-active in offering the same in return, if not immediately, then in the future.  In addition, while you are immersing yourself in your own industry, don’t forget about keeping up with and expanding your non-industry contacts. You never know when they will become important to you or some of your other contacts. Network development can be just as important as skill development. Stay in touch with your college classmates and become involved in your alumnae association and not-for-profit activities.  Participation in non-industry organizations will provide additional opportunities to develop team and leadership skills and at the same time broaden your network of relationships. And last but not least, if you don’t know how to play golf — learn, and that advice is for women and men.

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

Only half-jokingly, how important it is to know how to play golf, even if not well.  Do you sense a theme here? 

Happily, I was lucky when I chose my first and current firm, Otterbourg P.C.  Otterbourg’s structure then and now affords attorneys beginning their careers with real opportunities to develop legal expertise in the banking and finance practice area and exposure to the business side of commercial finance from the get-go.  The depth and breadth of experience of our lawyers creates a natural learning atmosphere in which new associates feel comfortable asking questions of attorneys who have seen it all and then some.  We understand that, when you are starting out, you are in the learning phase of your career, and we encourage questions. Additionally, we want to hear new perspectives and professional analysis.

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

Mentoring has played a very important role in my career, both in terms of skill development and for achieving short and long-term career objectives.  I think it is important to have at least two mentors: one within your organization who can offer regular support and encouragement and help you navigate the corporate structure and politics of your organization, and one outside your organization who can be an objective sounding board and offer guidance and support of your career in a more general way and with a wider world view.

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

There are many promising initiatives underway right now both at the individual organization level and industry-wide. These initiatives are acknowledging and embracing the importance of diversity in achieving successful outcomes. They include programs that provide opportunities such as training, education and mentoring and management initiatives that encourage participation from all team members in various areas of the organization’s business and strategy.