Varnum partner Mary Kay Shaver has been named to the 2020 Class of ”Women in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. This year’s class will be recognized at a COVID-compliant virtual event on Thursday, October 6.
According to Michigan Lawyers Weekly, honorees are those who “have made outstanding contributions to the practice of law in Michigan and set an example for other lawyers. They are pioneers, educators, trailblazers and role models. They have demonstrated tremendous leadership and offer a wealth of expertise in diverse areas of law.”
“We are very pleased that our partner Mary Kay is being recognized with this award,” said Executive Partner Scott Hill. “In addition to her commitment to the legal profession and her community activity, she is a tremendous attorney and highly regarded in her unique area of practice.”
A finance attorney who works with both public entities and private companies, Shaver represents municipalities, libraries, educational institutions, hospitals and other organizations, advising on tax-exempt finance issues, establishing special taxing districts, and acting as counsel in various tax-exempt and taxable bond transactions. She advises clients on working capital loans, asset-based lending loans, equipment lease transactions and Article 9 issues.
Shaver’s commitment to excellence in the practice of law is exemplified in her participation and leadership in Michigan Women in Finance, Michigan’s premier municipal finance professional organization. She has served in various leadership roles including as president in 2015-2016. She is also active in the National Association of Bond Lawyers, the Michigan Association of Public School Academies and Michigan Council of School Attorneys.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Shaver has had a significant focus on the Paycheck Protection Program provided under the CARES Act. She has provided PPP assistance for nearly 200 clients to date and has written detailed advisories on the evolving program requirements. She has also served as a media source on the topic to business publications, television and radio stations across the state.
Within the broader community, Shaver serves as a trustee for the Rockford Education Foundation, an organization that provides funding for educational opportunities, both basic and innovative, in the Rockford, Michigan community.
At Varnum, Shaver serves on the Associate Recruiting Committee and as a mentor of new associates. She also serves on Varnum’s LANDing team (Lateral Attorney Networking and Development) for new lateral attorneys. She coordinates the firm’s Alternative Work Schedule Policy, which provides flexibility to firm members as family circumstances arise. For many years, she led the firm’s Social Committee, charged with organizing firm events to foster camaraderie and networking among the firm’s staff and attorneys.
More about the 2020 Women in the Law honorees and the recognition event can be found here: https://milawyersweekly.com/news/2020/08/12/milw-names-women-in-the-law-class-of-2020/