Katie Kimbrell named Chair of Balch Women’s Initiative

Katie Kimbrell, partner in the firm’s Birmingham office and member of the firm’s Corporate and Commercial Practice, will chair Balch’s Women’s Initiative, where she will lead the firm’s efforts in supporting women lawyers through cross-office programming, as well as mentorship, and sponsorship.

Balch’s Women’s Initiative has been a driving force in Balch’s commitment to DEI for more than a decade. This group leads a robust women’s mentoring program that fosters opportunities for career growth and advancement. 

“We are happy to welcome Katie as the firm’s incoming Chair of Women’s Initiative,” said Brandi A. Russell, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Director of Talent Management. “Katie is an exemplary leader both within the firm and across the legal community. As we celebrate Katie during this moment, we are also grateful to outgoing Chair, Mary Samuels, for her leadership and dedication to amplifying the Women’s Initiative over the past three years. I am confident that Katie will continue to advance the mission of this important network.

Our Women’s Initiative also works to highlight and address the complex and intersectional issues facing women in the workforce, and commits to helping women achieve the many versions of lasting success. Through this initiative, Balch has hosted numerous women’s networking receptions with clients; lunch discussions aimed to further cultivate business and professional development skills; and, events with Balch alumnae. This group also strives to support women’s initiatives throughout the communities across the firm’s footprint. 

“I am thrilled to be a part of continuing the great work of the Women’s Initiative,” said Katie. “Empowering our women lawyers and spotlighting their important contributions to the firm not only strengthens Balch and Bingham, but elevates the legal profession as a whole and the industries we serve.”

Katie has a diverse practice with a focus on corporate, securities, and financial services. Clients seek her assistance in all phases of their business, from formation to due diligence to regulatory compliance to securities and litigation. She regularly advises clients in a wide variety of complex transactions and all aspects of mergers and acquisitions for public and private companies. 

Before joining Balch, Katie was in-house counsel for a large insurance corporation, where she served as the primary legal counsel for the company’s broker-dealer, RIA, brokerage general agency (BGA) and insurance distribution channels in all aspects.

Katie’s proven leadership skills are visible through her work with the Birmingham Bar Association (BBA), where she serves as Chair of the Business Section and is a member of the BBA’s Executive Committee and Women’s Section. She previously served as membership chair for several years.

Katie is actively involved in the Birmingham community, with volunteer leadership positions at organizations including the Birmingham Volunteer Lawyer Program, the Young Supporters Board of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Alabama Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.