Leadership within the firm and the legal field is important at Morgan & Pottinger, P.S.C., but the firm’s attorneys embrace opportunities to show leadership in the community as well.
Doing just that, Emily Cowles, managing director of M&P’s Lexington office, was among the hundreds of Kentucky business leaders to attend a recent Leadership Expedition hosted by the two largest chambers in the state, Commerce Lexington and Greater Louisville Inc.
The trip took Cowles to booming Charlotte, N.C., where she was able to explore the region and learn from the area’s success stories, all the while discussing local opportunities and challenges with a broad network of business leaders.
“I wanted to know more about how Charlotte has developed, and I wanted to bring those lessons back for the firm and the community that supports and encourages our success,” Cowles said.
Charlotte is home to nine Fortune 500 company headquarters and hundreds more have a presence there. New job growth is strong and Charlotte has been named the most entrepreneurial city in the country.
For Cowles, the highlight of the trip came during a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting active lifestyles. The center’s 500 acres on the Catawba River offer whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, zip lines, mountain biking and more.
As Charlotte area leaders and Leadership Expedition participants discussed the economic impact of the center during the visit, important insight about attracting new residents was underscored. One official asked the group what comes to mind when they think of Charlotte. Some noted NASCAR, others listed professional sports. Charlotte is proud of these things, the official said, but people are not choosing to live and work in Charlotte because of them. Projects that enhance the everyday quality of place are more likely to attract new residents, and leaders must keep that in mind as they work to grow their communities.
Back home, Cowles and her colleagues continue to explore what will persuade people to want to live and work in Kentucky. The firm is deeply rooted in the commonwealth, having served the banking and finance industry in Kentucky and neighboring Indiana for 40 years. As M&P pursues business in other practice areas such as equine law and commercial litigation, the shareholders understand that supporting the community is key to the firm’s growth.
“We want to support our community and be a part of our region’s economic and workforce development,” Cowles said. “And we know success will stem from dedicated leaders in all sectors working together.”
