Building a Career as a Deal Lawyer with Austin Stevenson

In this episode of Corporate Law Lab, host Neil Taylor and Klekamp Law rising 3L Faith Howard sit down with Austin Stevenson, an attorney at Strauss Troy whose practice focuses on transactional work, mergers and acquisitions, and outside general counsel services.Austin shares his path from Northern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky College of Law to his current role at Strauss Troy. He discusses how he originally expected to pursue litigation, what led him toward corporate practice, and how he found his way into deal work after beginning his career during the pandemic.The conversation explores what it means to be a transactional lawyer, including working with first-time sellers, managing client expectations, navigating negotiations, and understanding the many legal issues that can arise in a deal. Austin also offers insight into networking, business development, mentorship, and how young lawyers can begin building a practice early in their careers.The episode also looks at the growing role of artificial intelligence in corporate legal practice, including how law firms are thinking about AI tools, client expectations, and the future of transactional work.Whether you're interested in mergers and acquisitions, business law, professional development, or emerging legal careers, this episode offers a practical look at the skills, relationships, and opportunities that shape a career in deal law.