Leveraging a thorough understanding of gaming and equine law with extensive experience representing international and domestic clients and a lifetime in the industry, Laura takes a practical, measured approach to find resolutions for her clients. She also has substantial experience acting as lender's counsel on equine and commercial secured lending matters.
Working as lender's counsel, Laura has closed over one billion dollars worth of transactions for clients, including secured transactions, UCC Article 9 work, asset-based lending and work outs, both in conjunction with and independent of the equine industry. She also has guided a number of clients through LLC and racing partnership formation, and currently sits on the American Bar Association's LLC and Partnership Committee, as well as chairing a drafting committee on LLC formation.
In addition to her business acumen, Laura also has a thorough knowledge of gaming law, enabling her to effectively steer clients through the myriad of evolving regulations that govern the industry. She previously served as associate general counsel for the Magna Entertainment Corporation and as general counsel to Gulfstream Park, allowing her to provide clients with the benefits of her unique perspectives into the operations of gaming and entertainment companies. Her work with leading gaming officials and companies across the world, enable her to not only stay abreast of new developments and legislation within the gaming industry, but also to offer proactive insight and counsel to clients to mitigate their risk as they move forward.
In addition to her work with the pari-mutuel and gaming industry, Laura has substantial experience in equine law matters. Representing owners, breeders and trainers, as well as account wagering companies and racetracks, Laura draws on her passion for the industry to counsel clients toward effective resolutions. She handles a variety of matters for clients, including the structuring of racing partnerships, syndication and sale of stallions and other bloodstock interests, and the acquisition and sale of commercial horse farms. She also guides international and domestic clients through the evolving challenges facing account wagering companies and simulcast agreements, including licensing renewal, compliance and contract negotiation. She recently helped establish simulcast agreements between clients in South America and the United States, using a keen business sense to guide the negotiations through the cultural and philosophical challenges to reach a successful resolution.
Laura is a frequent author and speaker on gaming and equine law. She has been published in Casino Enterprise Management, Casino Lawyer and Business Lexington, and has been quoted in The New York Times, the Toronto Globe & Mail, The Blood Horse, the Thoroughbred Times, and the Lexington Herald-Leader. She also is currently the chair of the National Equine Law Conference.
Memberships & Affiliations
· International Masters of Gaming Law
· University of Kentucky, National Equine Law Conference Planning Committee, Chair
· Adjunct Professor, University of Kentucky, Equine Law
· KBA Section of Business Law Section, Chair 2010-2011
· American College of Equine Attorneys
· Model LLC Organizational Checklist drafting subcommittee, ABA Section of Business Law, LLC's PArtnerships and Unincorporated Business Entities, Co-Chair
· Kentucky Bar Association, Section of Equine Law, Chair 2006-2007, IOLTA Trustee of the Fund, 2005-2011, Executive Committee Treasurer, 2010-2011
· Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, 2010-present
· Commerce Lexington, Board Member, 2007-present
· LEXARTS, Board Member, 2007-2011, Executive Committee Member, Chair Elect to serve as Chair 2012-2014
· Lexington Junior League, Sustaining Member, Former Board Member
· Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, Ethics Commission, appointment of the Mayor, 2007-2009
· National Thoroughbred Racing Association Federal Legislative HORSE PAC, Board Member, 2005-2008
· Procter & Gamble, Brand Management, International Head Office, Toronto, 1990-1992, Summer Intern, 1999
Distinctions
· Named one of the Leading Women of Central Kentucky by Business Lexington, 2011
· Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
Publications
May 1, 2012, Equine Sales & Use Tax Review
April 30, 2012, States Prepare to Bet the House on Online Gaming
Business Law Today
January 19, 2012, Department of Justice Improves the Odds of Online Gambling
September 16, 2011, Downward Trends Create Challenges for Equine Loan Market
April 2011, Kentucky Update: Instant Racing
2011, "Legal Aspects of Stallion Management and Syndication," 2011 Monograph, University of Kentucky College of Law, CLE Office
October 2010, "The Kentucky Business Entity Filing Act: An Introduction," Kentucky Bench & Bar
May 1, 2010, The State of Gaming in Kentucky
2009, "No Contest? An Analysis of Thoroughbred Handicapping Contests Under Conflicting State Law Regimes," Journal of Equine, Agricultural and Natural Resources Law
May 2007, "Galloping Across State Lines; Wagering, Wine and the U.S. Constitution," Kentucky Bar Association, Bench & Bar
January 2006, "Is Equine Law the Profession for You?" Career Corner, USPC News
2003, "A Legislative Review of Alternative Gaming," University of Kentucky, College of Law, National Equine Law Seminar