Marianne S. Martin

Los Angeles Corporate & Commercial Finance

Marianne S. Martin is, above all, a negotiator navigating financial transactions of collectively over $500 million over the past two years. Throughout her career, she has restructured and financed more than $1.5 billion in transactions.

A key principle behind her work has been mentoring lawyers on an important lesson she learned herself: striving to make her clients' life easier.

"Whenever you're on a team, it is very important that it includes your clients too," said Martin of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP. "The goal is to make the lives of everyone that you report to easier. My job is sparing them time or helping them solve problems. Whatever you do to improve your clients' lives will make you a star."

She began her career as a corporate bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer in New York, where she honed her ability to maneuver in complex financing situations. Martin moved to California nearly a decade ago, where she transformed that experience into a commercial finance practice.

Said Martin: "More recently, I would say that I have been representing borrowers in their efforts to scale up into larger credits and syndicated markets and helping lenders brace for what may be a more downward leaning market."

Martin's clients know her as someone who can "cut to the chase" in complicated situations, bringing a multitude of constituents to the table to get deals done in contentious, fast-paced situations.

Although most of her deals are confidential, she has done public work for high-profile clients in financing or ancillary M&A matters, such as the Borrmann Metal Center acquisition by Contractors Steel, a portfolio of UPG Enterprises LLC, and representing BQE Software in its growth investment from Serent Capital.

"At the end of the day, being a lawyer is a service business, so it's all about serving your clients and making sure they're getting the best attention and comfort."

The lawyer profession is famously time consuming, said Martin, but she still finds the time to do volunteer work for organizations mentoring women attorneys, intended to provide support for younger lawyers.

"My true passion has always been working with professional development organizations--such as ACG, TMA and local bar associations, to name a few--that are focused on the legal and finance professions," Martin said. "I see my involvement through these organizations as a way to better develop visibility for women in a substantive and long-lasting manner. There are so many challenges for women in the legal and finance professions, but just by staying in the game, we help pave the way for others."

Martin said her experience gives her confidence in what she does. "The dollar amount can be very intimidating, to be sure, but the trick is to really not think about it and treat every matter in the same professional way."

Martin said she enjoys dealing with the several moving parts and complexities and finds fulfillment in reaching goals, which is something attorneys should aim for.

- Federico Lo Giudice