Susan C. Alker is a partner in the Financial Industry Group of the law firm of Reed Smith LLP. She represents private equity funds, hedge funds, major banks and other financial institutions in syndicated credit facilities, secured and unsecured loans, acquisition loans, debtor-in-possession credit facilities, and real estate financings. She has also advised clients on subordinated debt, mezzanine debt, and securities offerings, and on mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate transactions. Ms. Alker earned her J.D. in 1997 from the UCLA School of Law and her M.B.A. in international business in 1993 from California State University. Ms. Alker is admitted to practice law in California, New York, and Texas. Her professional affiliations include acting as chair of the Business Law Section and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, member of the Financial Lawyers Conference, and member of the Business Law Section of the California and Texas state bar associations.