To honor the legacy of the late Sullivan & Cromwell partner Alexandra D. Korry, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 61, our Women’s Initiative Committee has created the Alexandra D. Korry Award for outstanding leadership and commitment to the advancement of women at Sullivan & Cromwell and in the legal profession.
Lauren S. Boehmke, the inaugural recipient, is inspired by Alexandra’s legacy. Like Alexandra, she strives to make a difference for the junior women associates in the Firm’s M&A Group. “I feel I have an obligation to make sure that women at the Firm in general, and especially in the M&A group, feel there are opportunities for women to advance and be successful,” says the eighth-year associate.
Alexandra was among the first women elected partner in S&C’s M&A Group in 1993. She quickly became one of the leading M&A lawyers in the United States, serving as the trusted advisor to high-profile companies around the world. She was also a dedicated criminal justice advocate, heading the New York State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, and helping spur the abolition of solitary confinement for juvenile inmates in New York City. And she was a loving wife to Robin Panovka and mother to Rebecca and Sarah Panovka.
Within S&C, Alexandra is remembered for her unique brand of mentorship, defined by her relentless pursuit of excellence. Alexandra’s mentees recall her pushing them to go further than they thought they were capable, and the growth that they experienced as a result.
“I feel I have an obligation to make sure that women at the Firm in general, and especially in the M&A group, feel there are opportunities for women to advance and be successful.”
— Lauren S. Boehmke
Lauren leads in her own way. Her practice focuses on public and private M&A, corporate governance, activism and takeover defense, and other public company advisory matters. An active member of the Women’s Initiative Committee, she hosts get-togethers for new associates to help them integrate into the Firm and also participates in virtual and on-campus panels and recruiting events. Lauren is also active in the Firm’s Associate Advisor Program, sharing ideas on how to enhance the program to benefit associates.
For Lauren, it’s been humbling to be selected to carry on Alexandra’s tradition of excellence and mentorship. “I have received such immense support throughout my career at S&C,” she says, “and one of my top priorities is giving that back.”