Introducing Katrina Forsyth, Associate General Counsel for Global Employment at BlackLine
Where do you work, and what is your role?
I am the Associate General Counsel for Global Employment at BlackLine. BlackLine is a financial tech company that creates innovative software designed to automate and manage accounting and financial close processes. In short, we help companies transform their processes from cumbersome manual accounting to more efficient automated systems for the Office of the CFO.
What is the coolest thing about your line of work? Or about the industry you are in?
The coolest thing about being an in-house employment attorney is navigating the complex intersection of legal compliance, the demands of the business, and human dynamics. My role requires a deep understanding of employment laws around the world and the nuances of the business while navigating interpersonal dynamics and
addressing matters with high EQ and care.
What do you love about being an in-house attorney?
I love the opportunity to act as a strategic business partner rather than just a legal advisor. Being embedded within a company allows me to provide proactive counsel that aligns with long-term business goals, mitigate risk before it materializes, and witness the direct impact of my legal guidance on the company's growth and success.
If you were not a lawyer, what career would you choose?
If I weren’t an attorney, I probably would have pursued a career in psychology. I've always been fascinated by what drives human behavior—the intricate puzzle of motivations, perceptions, and decision-making. I'm particularly intrigued by how individuals can interpret and be shaped by the same set of facts or circumstances in completely different ways.
Why did you join ACC and what do you like the most about being an ACC SoCal Member?
My favorite thing about ACC SoCal is the sense of community and belonging created by our members. I first joined ACC in 2021, after leaving a big law firm to go in-house. However, I was in a fully remote role with a company based in Northern California during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it was challenging to find a local community of other in-house lawyers who could help me navigate the transition to in-house life. I was lucky enough to go on a few hikes hosted by the ACC SoCal’s Well-Being Committee, and I met some incredible members who have become an invaluable network/foundation for me as an in-house attorney. Now, I’m proud to be a Board Member, and during my tenure, I hope to give back to an organization that has given me so much over the years.
What is the best career advice you have received?
“Make this a place that deserves you.” To me, this advice is so meaningful because it is a powerful call to action to take ownership over your workplace. It reframes the employee mindset from passive acceptance to becoming an agent of positive change by improving the culture, processes, and standards. I find it empowering to remember that you always have an opportunity to improve your environment and the experiences of others around you.
When you aren’t practicing law, what are you doing?
I’m thriving in chaos with my husband as we parent our active two- and five-year-old kids.
What’s something about you that fellow ACC SoCal members might be surprised to know?
My fellow ACC SoCal members might be surprised to know that I’m a polyglot. I speak six languages with varying levels of fluency. Feel free to reach out sometime, and I’d be happy to tell you more about it in a few of those languages.
Learn more about ACC Membership Benefits here.
