Clients consider Amanda “a resourceful ally with a unique blend of legal and financial competence.” According to one client, “The most important thing is to understand my business, and Amanda does that very well.” According to Amanda, her unique approach to corporate finance law is a product of her valuable training at Lathrop GPM. She said, “This immersive experience has instilled in me the need for a profound comprehension of clients’ businesses. We identify their target audience, understand their driving forces and appreciate their core values before providing legal counsel. This holistic perspective allows me to delve deeper into each situation and ensures highly tailored representation.”

Amanda Yoder is a partner in Lathrop GPM’s Business Transactions Group with a focus on corporate finance. Her expansive knowledge in corporate law and deep understanding of the financial services industry enable her to devise innovative solutions to complex legal issues. Leveraging her background in accounting and experience as a tax associate at an international consulting firm, Amanda adopts a common-sense approach to ensure seamless transactions and to provide proactive, sound advice.

By identifying the clients’ key customers, pinpointing concerns that cause sleepless nights, and gaining a thorough understanding of corporate structures, Amanda delivers tailored solutions that align with clients’ short and long-term plans. If a client aims to secure a loan, she meticulously examines the inherent goals and needs behind the financing. In cases of restructuring, she navigates the intricate web of corporate entities, restructuring their portfolio to meet their broader business objectives. This strategic, client-centric approach amplifies Amanda’s effectiveness as a corporate finance attorney, turning challenges into opportunities and aspirations into realities.

Amanda has widespread experience working with banks and other financial institutions, manufacturers, agriculture-related businesses, higher education institutions, hospitals, property management companies, and commercial/residential property developers, among others. She provides a comprehensive range of services including:

  • Advising clients on bank incentives for financing
  • Providing counsel on revolving credit facilities
  • Explaining the workings of financial covenants for businesses
  • Assisting in equipment purchases and loans
  • Facilitating public financing and bond issuances
  • Offering local counsel opinions in Missouri and Kansas

With a prowess for managing intricate financing transactions, Amanda’s services extend to lenders and borrowers alike, extending her proficiency in dealing with secured and unsecured lending, refinancing, loan workouts and restructures.

For lending institutions, in particular, Amanda supports clients with:

  • Outstanding loan issues
  • Commercial finance and loan documentation
  • Unique collateral security interests and complex loan structures
  • High-value loans and high-risk scenarios
  • Club level and syndicated loans

In her merger and acquisition practice, Amanda adeptly handles structuring, negotiating, and closing deals. She provides guidance on transaction structuring and liaises with securities, tax, and other regulatory authorities. Her due diligence investigations, assistance in the purchase and sale of both stocks and assets in regulated and unregulated industries, and guidance on post-closing obligations and rights further support clients’ needs.

In addition, Amanda works closely with boards, investors, and senior management teams to address their day-to-day business operations, including reviewing contracts and addressing corporate hygiene issues. Her accounting background proves invaluable, enabling her to fully understand her clients’ businesses and help them accomplish their business goals. In this capacity, Amanda’s role extends beyond that of a legal advisor; she serves as a strategic partner, guiding clients to the right resources within the firm to meet their needs most effectively.

When asked…

What inspires you about the practice of law?

The practice of law allows me to integrate my passion for business transactions with my inherent analytical and problem-solving skills. This journey started as an offhand remark by my high school English teacher. I wasn’t paying attention and she said, “I know one day you might be chewing up Fortune 500 companies as a lawyer but for now, you have to stay in my English class and pay attention.” This statement sparked a curiosity within me, which only grew stronger as I pursued an MBA and established a foundation in accounting. It wasn’t until I attended law school and later joined Lathrop GPM that I discovered my true love for business transactions. The intricate nature of these transactions, the intellectual challenges they present and the satisfaction of successfully navigating through them are all aspects of my practice that fuel my passion for the law.

What do you do outside of work?

As a mother of three young children, much of my time is spent with them, extended family and friends. If I were left to my own devices, I’d be reading books on the beach.

Areas of Focus

Services

Sectors

Experience

Corporate Finance

  • Represented a multinational financial institution in connection with revolving and term credit facilities of $60 million secured by 54 gas stations and convenience stores as part of a corporate restructuring. Continue to assist with modifications.
  • Represented international financial institution in connection with credit facilities of approximately $150 million by U.S. assets.
  • Represented a multinational financial institution as administrative agent and lender in connection with a multibank credit facility secured by certain investment and related assets.
  • Represented multiple financial institutions with financial covenant based unsecured facilities, A/R and inventory borrowing base secured facilities, construction loans and equipment loans.
  • Represented multiple financial institutions with credit facilities involving ESOP components (with relation to creation of ESOP and related financing).
  • Represented multiple financial institutions with relation to construction loans for a wide range of projects, including hotels, senior living facilities and other commercial retail space.

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Represented client in the sale of its wholesale insurance business.
  • Represented clients in company acquisition and growth strategies, including veterinary clinics and accounting firms.
  • Represented buyers in various other transactions, including the purchase of a retail jewelry business, heavy equipment dealership, dog agility business and grain loading facility.
  • Represented sellers in various other transactions, including a logistical services business, medical equipment rental business and quality agricultural supply.

General Corporate Issues

  • Represents startup company assisting in formation and organizational structure, licensing and other regulatory and other corporate issues.
  • Worked closely with client senior management teams, focusing on board and investor relationship issues and strategic relationship issues with vendors and customers.
  • Worked to accomplish client business goals in as efficient and effective a manner as possible.
  • Assisted clients with corporate governance issues, contracting and fundamental business transactions.

Credentials

Education

  • University of Missouri School of Law (J.D., 2011)
    • Board of Advocates
    • Missouri Law Review, Note and Comment Editor
    • Order of the Barristers
  • University of Missouri (M.B.A., 2007)
  • University of Missouri (B.S.B.A., 2006)

Bar Admissions

  • Kansas
  • Missouri
  • New York

Recognitions

  • Kansas City Business Journal, "20 to Know," Legal, 2024
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," 2017-2023
  • Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, "Centurions Leadership Program," Fall Class of 2021

Presentations

Publications

  • Author, Foreclosure Sale Price v. Fair Market Value, Missouri Independent Bankers Association Newsletter, January 2014
  • Author, High Priced Mortgage Loans - Don’t Forget the Appraisal, Missouri Independent Bankers Association Newsletter, July 2013
  • Author, Credit Agreements Defined – a Cautionary Tale in Loan Approval, Missouri Independent Bankers Association Newsletter, November 2012
  • Co-author, Well-Settled Foreclosure Rule Upheld - For Now: First Bank v. Fischer & Frichtel, Inc. (Missouri Supreme Court 2012), Missouri Independent Bankers Association Newsletter, July 2012

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association, Business Law Section, 2023
  • Lawyers Association of Kansas City, Young Lawyers Section, Board of Directors, 2013
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, 2011 – Present

Community Involvement

  • Children's Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI), Guardian ad Litem/Volunteer, 2018-present
  • Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Centurions Class of 2021
  • genKC, Civic Involvement Committee, 2019