Sheppard special counsel Kanasha Herbert sat down with Black Women in Asset Management for a Q&A, where she shared her professional journey, offered insights into her work as a private equity mergers and acquisitions attorney and provided guidance for professional growth.
Can you tell us about your role and the kind of work you do in private equity law?
I am a U.S.-based private equity M&A attorney. I work with private equity sponsors, investors and management teams on M&A, including acquisitions, dispositions and minority investments across a range of industries, including healthcare and fintech. My role includes advising on transaction structure, negotiating and drafting key deal documents, and guiding the process from signing through closing. I also provide strategic advice throughout the deal cycle and I stay involved after closing on add-on acquisitions, governance questions and exit planning.
What drew you to this area of law, and what has kept you in it?
I was drawn to corporate law initially through emerging company work. I am an engineer by training, and I previously worked as a hardware design engineer at Hewlett Packard, so I have always been interested in how products and businesses are built. Over time, that work expanded as companies grew and their needs became more complex — leading to work with venture capital investors, private equity sponsors and operators as businesses scale and mature. The common thread for me is being close to the business-building process, whether that starts with a new idea or with an established business that has meaningful room to grow.
What do people often misunderstand or underestimate about the legal aspects of private equity deals?
A common misconception is that attorneys are primarily documenting what has already been agreed on. In private equity transactions, the documents are where the commercial deal becomes enforceable and where risk is allocated. Terms around representations and warranties, indemnities, covenants, closing conditions and governance rights can determine whether a client has protection later or ends up absorbing costs that could have been addressed at signing. Getting that balance right is a key part of the value I bring as a trusted advisor.
What advice would you give to professionals looking to grow their visibility and credibility?
Credibility is built one interaction at a time. Do excellent work, follow through and communicate early when something changes. Visibility does not have to feel performative — it can look like sharing a practical takeaway on a market trend, speaking on a panel, mentoring or volunteering for initiatives where you can contribute and be seen. One of my own strengths is being personable. I have found that it helps people feel seen, especially in high-stakes situations. Do not hide your personality.
This Q&A first appeared in the March 2026 newsletter of Black Women in Asset Management.