Lindsay Kaplan is featured in IFLR's "Five Minutes With..." column.  In a recent interview with International Financial Law Review (IFLR), Lindsay shares insights into her work and philosophy as an M&A attorney. She explains that the key characteristics that make a successful M&A lawyer are "being a businessperson first, and a lawyer second. The best way to be a value add to your client is to understand their business, understand how the industry works, and analyze their pain points and goals."  She notes, "being a lawyer who can also draft and negotiate the transaction points is critical, but understanding the client’s business and their goals is paramount."

Lindsay describes her dual role: advising small to midsized private companies on both buy- and sell-side M&A deals, while also serving as outsourced general counsel for clients without in-house legal teams. She highlights the importance of guiding companies through critical moments, from incorporation to growth and ultimately to successful exits.

Lindsay credits her clients, independent agencies or companies, selling businesses, as a source of inspiration. She stated, "for many of them, this is their first M&A, and the level of sophistication they have, and their ability to focus on not only the M&A transaction but also continue to grow and scale their business, never ceases to amaze me."

What excites her most is becoming a trusted partner to her clients, working “shoulder to shoulder” with them as they make decisions that shape the future of their businesses. She emphasizes that M&A attorneys do far more than “paper the deal”—they play a strategic role in protecting clients, managing risk, and driving value.

Reflecting on her career, Lindsay states that her clients themselves are a source of inspiration, especially entrepreneurs navigating their first M&A transactions. To younger lawyers, she advices: embrace the learning that comes from partner feedback and revisions, as it is one of the most powerful tools for growth in practice.