Catherine Faulk
Catherine Faulk is the Director of Government Affairs and General Counsel for The Poplar Group, where she brings six years of experience within the legal field and a strong commitment to client advocacy and government affairs. She took a non-traditional path to law, working full-time while attending night classes at the Nashville School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor in 2025. Since then, she has focused on government compliance, small-business advocacy, and campaign finance law while also providing strategic counsel to clients at both the state and national levels. Prior to her current role, Catherine gained valuable experience across both the public and private sectors. She interned in the United States Senate for the Office of Senator Lamar Alexander, worked in the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury’s Office of General Counsel, and served at Lodestone Legal Group. In these roles, she conducted legal research, drafted motions, and supported statewide government relations initiatives, honing her expertise in legislative strategy and legal advocacy. Catherine’s career is defined by her dedication to integrity, empathy, and meeting people where they are, both professionally and personally. Catherine is committed to expanding her practice, providing pro bono legal services, and taking on leadership roles within her community. She serves on the board of LEAD Public Schools and is an active member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Lawyers’ Association for Women - Marion Griffin Chapter. On a typical day, she balances client strategy sessions, government affairs work, and firm operations, all while striving to use her skills to help as many people as possible. With a focus on continuous growth, Catherine combines her legal expertise and passion for public service to make a meaningful impact both in her profession and her community.
• Nashville School of Law- J.D.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville- B.A.
• Volunteer Scholarship
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Lawyers' Association for Women
• LEAD Public Schools (3-year term)
What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to hardwork, focus, and incredible mentorship. Like everyone who has gone on their own professional journey, there are lots of twists and turns that can happen. I was someone who chose to pursue a non-traditional path when it came to law school so I could support myself through school while also gaining practical experience within the legal field. This led to some really long days and some very frustrating times trying to find balance within my life. However, pushing through those moments and reminding myself of my bigger “why”, allowed me to gain so much knowledge and make connections I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. When thinking back on my professional journey so far, I believe it’s important to acknowledge all of the incredible individuals who chose to mentor me, support me, and continued to help me throughout my career. I wouldn't be where I am today without the guidance of those who went before me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I ever received came from my former boss, who I’m lucky enough to still call a mentor and a friend. In essence, her advice was to never let someone else dictate your success. She encouraged me to be fearless within my own career and show up for myself each day with 110% effort. By doing so, you ensure that at the end of the day you have no regrets and can be truly fulfilled by everything you have accomplished.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One have the biggest pieces of advice that I would give to someone is find what you are passionate about and relentlessly pursue a career in that practice area. I feel like women are sometimes pushed towards certain areas of practice or to certain types of offices because other people deem they are desirable, but what is really important is what you want. In the legal field, like any other field, there are going to be long days, crucial deadlines, and stressful situations that you will be faced with regularly, which is why it is so important to actually like what you do. When you are passionate about your work, you will be personally invested in your work and through this you will be the most successful advocate for your future clients.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
While the women who have come before us in the legal field have made incredible strides and have opened so many doors for young, female attorneys like myself, I think some ingrained biases still exist within the industry. One of the main challenges I have encountered are that some people still don’t expect women, especially young women, to be the primary leaders within a room, firm, or organization.
However, on the flip side of this very same coin, the legal field is one that is constantly growing and there are new challenges and problems within the legal field that need to be solved each day.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Professionally and personally, integrity and empathy have always been core values for me. Whether in business or in my personal life, showing up for people the way I say I’m going to and having patience and understanding for other people is essential for establishing healthy relationships. The reason why I became an attorney, and also choose to work in government affairs, is because I wanted to help people navigate their daily challenges and also help them advocate for themselves and the causes they hold near to them. In my opinion, the best way I can do this is by providing people with the same transparency I ask of them and by providing them with a level of understanding that makes them feel supported and heard.