As a member of the Firm's Business Group, my practice focuses on helping entrepreneurs and privately owned companies thrive. In the early stages, I assist clients in refining their business plans, accessing capital, both debt and equity, and acquiring and financing assets. During the growth period, I assist clients with strategic planning, acquisitions, contract negotiations, and, when the time is right, the sale of the business.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, I worked as a strategy consultant for over 10 years, most recently with McKinsey and previously with Booz Allen & Hamilton. As a consultant, I focused on assisting clients through transformational change including mergers, outsourcing, and the creation of shared services. Example prior engagements include:

• Leading an RFP process, conducting due diligence, and negotiating, based on microeconomic levers, a $300M IT outsourcing contract for an international energy company.
• Designing and launching a shared services business unit complete with governance model, charge-outs, and service level agreements which led to a $25M savings per year for a bank.
• Assessing the feasibility of a merger between a Japanese company and an American energy company by establishing and evaluating merger requirements to go live and to achieve synergies, developing risk mitigation approaches and developing tactical implementation plans.

I am licensed to practice law in Texas. I am a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Houston Bar Association. I also volunteer as a Mediator for the Better Business Bureau. I have traveled and worked extensively throughout Europe and Asia. My husband, Brian, is a real estate agent with Prudential, and our favorite hobby is watching our daughter grow.

Awards and Recognitions:

Hammer Award for Reinventing Government from the U.S. Government under the Clinton Administration for leading an effort to restructure the IRS.

Booz Allen & Hamilton Professional Excellence Award – 2001. This award is presented to the top three client engagement teams worldwide for outstanding customer service and breakthrough thinking.

Certifications:

Certified Mediator for the State of Texas

International Commercial Arbitration from the A. A. White Dispute Resolution Center

Six Sigma Green Belt

Colleen Walsh Schultz

Associate
Business Group

BA, Rice University
MBA, Vanderbilt University
JD, University of Houston Law Center