Corbitt Tate and Christy Boardman Kuklinski Named 2024 “NextGen BHM: Law” Honorees

Corbitt Tate, partner in the firm’s Birmingham office and member of the Financial Industries and Real Estate Practice and Christy Boardman Kuklinski, attorney in the firm’s Birmingham office and member of the Corporate Practice, have been recognized as honorees in the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2024 “NextGen Law” list, which highlights lawyers under 40 years old who represent the upcoming generation of legal professionals in Birmingham.

Birmingham Business Journal called this year’s honorees “young, eager and successful” attorneys who “will be guiding the legal landscape of Birmingham for time to come.” Honorees were selected based on their contributions to the firm, tangible results in their practice areas and involvement in the community, among other factors.

Christy has a diverse practice with a focus on securities and corporate work.  She has spent the last decade developing an understanding for corporate and financial matters, both from the litigation standpoint and from the deal and advisory standpoint.  Due to Christy’s breadth of experience working with highly-regulated institutions, clients seek her assistance in all phases of their businesses, from transactions to regulatory compliance to securities and other complex litigation.

Christy possesses a rare depth of understanding in navigating the complexities of corporate and financial matters. Her unique perspective, further developed through her prior role as an investment banker, has equipped her with invaluable insights into the deal process and the intricacies of financial transactions and has given her a keen ability to anticipate and address client concerns. In April 2024, Christy was appointed as a commissioner to the Alabama Securities Commission by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey.

At Balch, Christy has also advised multiple clients of Balch Business Boost, the firm’s program aiming to support entrepreneurs of color and/or women-owned businesses by providing free or low-cost legal services. She has demonstrated leadership in mentoring summer clerks and organizing functions for the firm’s women’s initiative. Christy generously dedicates her time to various community endeavors. From volunteering with her church to mentoring law students through the Birmingham Bar Association and actively engaging in pro bono work, Christy consistently demonstrates her commitment to making a positive impact in her community. 

Corbitt is widely respected for both his depth of knowledge in commercial lending and real estate transactions matters and his highly-effective negotiation techniques. Clients seek his advice in drafting and negotiating commercial loan documents and loan restructurings for a variety of credit facilities including asset-based credit facilities, factoring facilities, convertible debt facilities, and real estate term loans secured by owner-occupied properties, multi-family properties, shopping centers, and office buildings. Corbitt also advises clients on all stages of the lifecycle of a real estate project, including review and analysis of due diligence materials, negotiation and consummation of the purchase or sale of the project, and preparing and negotiating office, retail, and ground leases. Additionally, he plays a pivotal role facilitating transactions involving electrical generation facilities throughout the United States for major utilities, private investment funds and independent power producers.

Beyond his legal acumen, Corbitt's dedication to the community shines through his commitment to providing counsel to clients of Balch Business Boost, the firm’s program to support entrepreneurs of color and/or women-owned businesses and start-ups by providing free or low-cost legal services.  Corbitt has also demonstrated a commitment to leadership at the firm, mentoring associates in developing their practices, while also leading several initiatives for Balch’s Real Estate Practice.

Corbitt's impact extends beyond the confines of his practice, as evidenced by his active involvement in professional organizations such as the Birmingham Bar Association, as well as sector-focused organizations like the Urban Land Institute and NAIOP.