Spencer Fane is pleased to announce Andrea Perry as one of ALM’s 2026 Southeastern Legal Awards honorees. She has earned recognition in the Distinguished Leaders category.
The Southeastern Legal Awards celebrate the accomplishments and industry impact of exceptional attorneys across North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. In her honoree profile, Andrea reflected on the importance of intentional leadership , both professionally and personally, emphasizing that professional success and personal fulfillment are not mutually exclusive. “It was important to me to model to younger attorneys, especially women, that it is possible to work hard, lead well, and build a meaningful career without sacrificing what matters most,” she shared.
Andrea also shared her approach to leadership during high-pressure situations, offered guidance for aspiring legal professionals, and reflected on the qualities she believes define effective leadership in the legal profession.
“Effective legal leaders approach their work with sound judgment, fairness, and a willingness to listen and learn. They earn trust by acting ethically, communicating clearly, and taking accountability for their decisions and outcomes,” she said. “Strong leaders also invest in the development of others, think strategically about long-term risks and institutional goals, and view leadership as stewardship.”
Andrea and her fellow honorees were formally honored at the Southeastern Legal Awards ceremony on May 7 in Atlanta, Georgia.
At the firm, Andrea advises clients on sophisticated real estate, development, finance, and corporate transactions, with a practice that frequently intersects with economic development, nonprofit initiatives, and complex commercial projects. She is known for providing strategic, business-minded counsel on high-stakes transactions involving acquisitions, development, financing, leasing, governance, and long-term asset strategy. Her practice spans a broad range of industries and clients, including developers, institutional lenders, nonprofit organizations, and commercial real estate stakeholders. In addition to her former role as Banking and Financial Services practice group leader, Andrea serves as one of ten talent team leaders responsible for the oversight of one of four firmwide attorney groups. In this role, Andrea helps lead strategic initiatives focused on attorney development, mentorship, retention and firm culture for more than 200 (and counting) attorneys across the platform. She is particularly passionate about mentoring younger attorneys, fostering sustainable legal careers, and helping build a culture where attorneys can excel professionally while maintaining strong personal foundations.
Andrea also remains engaged in civic and nonprofit leadership throughout the Nashville and Greater Tennessee community, using her legal and leadership experience to support mission-driven organizations and community initiatives.
Read Andrea’s full Distinguished Leaders Q&A here. Please note, a subscription may be required.