Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Laura D’Angelo, Partner at Jones Walker LLP
This week’s 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Laura D’Angelo, Partner at Jones Walker LLP.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I am a partner at the US based law firm of Jones Walker, LLP. I’m located in the Lexington, Kentucky office. The firm has 17 offices with its original and largest office in New Orleans, Louisiana. I’m a member of the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the Gaming Industry Team which includes Equine Law.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day is different and never boring. I am a transactional and regulatory attorney primarily and advise clients daily on a range of matters including purchase and sales of horses, sales disputes, public auctions, horse show licensing and regulation and US gaming regulatory matters in horse racing, sports betting, fantasy, lotteries and other emerging areas. Some days I am in my office and some days I am with clients on the farm, at horse shows or at the races.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
We are working on a legislative fix to the One Big Beautiful Bill to attempt to restore the 100% gambling loss deduction. If it is not restored, the reduction in ability to claim losses will result in a significant decline in U.S. horse racing purse money. I am often asked to assist with structuring equine related entities to minimize risk and liability for high net worth individuals and family offices. I recently assisted in the establishment of a new world class equestrian horse show facility and the related licensing matters with the national federation. One of the more interesting requests in past years was to change the nationality of a horse for competition purposes in order for the horse to compete for a particular country at the Olympics.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
The uncertainty around recent tariffs stands to have an impact on our equine clients as they make plans to bring horses into the U.S. permanently as imports or temporarily for competition (such as the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington Florida, or the Breeders’ Cup late fall). We work in cross discipline teams to advise our clients how best to address these challenges. On the gaming side, we work with our clients to ensure regulatory compliance at both the federal and state level. Each of our gaming states has different statutes and rules which are often changing and which makes it complex for clients to navigate.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
I founded the Equine Law class at the University of Kentucky College of Law and taught the class for almost 10 years. I loved getting to know the new attorneys as they were preparing to graduate. I was proud to have my professional qualifications recognized when invited to join the membership of the International Masters of Gaming Law and separately to be invited to be a founding Fellow of the American College of LLC and Partnership attorneys. Other than that, I really enjoy getting to know my clients, developing friendships across many industries and understanding their different businesses. Being a trusted advisor on a wide range of business issues is very fulfilling.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Intellectual curiosity, thoughtfulness, respect for others and empathy.
Who do you most admire and why?
My mom and my grandfather. My mom told me that I could be anything I wanted to be if I tried (and I believed her!) and was a positive supportive voice always. My grandfather was a business owner and a community leader and led by example. He told me as a young person to never be afraid of hard work. He was kind to others, a good employer and worked alongside his employees every day. He helped them in all aspects of their lives while also being the Chief of the Fire Department and a deacon in his church.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
The Netherlands for a bit of both – supporting a client in a new endeavor and seeing a world class equestrian venue that I had not visited before – with a quick stop in Paris on the way home!
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
Possibly a professional equestrian if I had not gone to law school – or now maybe something in the wine industry!
How do you relax after a long day?
I love a dinner with friends/clients and good wine. Or a quiet night with a book by a fire.
If you could recommend one person in the private wealth industry who would it be, and what would you say about them?
Robert Brewer here in Lexington, Kentucky at Atlanta Consulting Group. He’s bright, honest and successful and a good person. He can deliver investment advice in a way that is easy to understand and inspires confidence.
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