2024 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Kristen Spirou, Robinson & Cole LLP

“Kristen’s rising star status stems from her commitment to providing the highest level of service and representation in everything she does. She really stands out in her ability to anticipate and then respond to issues on deals as they arise. We are delighted to have her as a colleague.” - Deirdre Robinson, Vice Practice Group Leader, Real Estate + Development Group at Robinson & Cole LLP.

In the last 12 months what accomplishment are you most proud of? Late in 2023 my husband and I welcomed our first child together. Throughout my maternity leave I was excited to return to work, but anxious as to how I would balance work with the demands of parenthood. Since returning to full-time work, I’m proudest that, with the support of fantastic colleagues, I’ve managed to balance a full plate of affordable housing finance deals while also enjoying every minute of new parenthood with my husband.

How do you balance your rising career with your personal life? Through practice, reliance on the support of colleagues at work, and family at home, and acceptance that some days I’ll get the balance better than others. 

Outside of your career, where else do you seek continuous learning and personal growth? Reading for pleasure is how I ensure I’m always learning and expanding my vocabulary! At the moment, I’m working towards a goal of re-reading all the novels from my undergraduate English literature courses. I’m currently enjoying George Eliot’s Middlemarch and have Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist on deck.