Dear LSTA Members,
It is with profound sadness and regret that we share the news of the sudden and untimely passing on February 11th of Bridget Marsh, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of LSTA. Bridget was an extraordinary leader, colleague and friend to many across our industry. During her more than 20-year tenure at LSTA, she was the transformative force behind much of the corporate loan market as we know it today, from documentation to market practices. She remained diligent and focused throughout her career in understanding and improving how our market functioned.
But Bridget was also much more. She was a gifted educator and presenter, providing a foundational knowledge base and insights to all market participants, ranging from the new generation of leaders fresh out of university to seasoned industry veterans, through her driving influence spearheading LSTA University, LSTA Summer Series and countless panels and webinars.
Bridget’s industry accomplishments were matched by her generosity of spirit. She served as mentor to many and was a deeply valued voice both within and outside of LSTA. She was a fellow of both the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation, served on multiple advisory boards, including the Practical Law Finance Advisory Board and the AAA-ICDR Financial Advisory Committee, was a member of the ABA Business Law Section Council, served as chair of the ABA Business Law Section’s Commercial Finance Committee, and was co-chair of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) Financial Services Affinity Group. And in 2025 she was recognized by her peers for her outstanding contributions, achievements and leadership, as winner of both the ABA’s Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award and NAWL’s Outstanding Member Award.
On a personal level, while I did not have the privilege of knowing and working alongside Bridget for as long as many of you in the industry have, the time I did have with her was truly inspiring. Her characteristics that stood out to me were her keen insight, her dedication to her craft and our industry, and her strength of mind and spirit, which was present each and every day. I can only hope that if I am half as accomplished as Bridget in my lifetime, I will be ten times more successful than I could dream.
Our hearts go out to her husband, Tim Nelson, and her daughter, Katharine Marsh-Nelson. We extend our deepest condolences to them and to her entire family during this unimaginable time.
In the coming days, we will share information regarding ways in which members may honor Bridget’s memory. The loss to LSTA is immeasurable. Her legacy endures in the strength and integrity of the market she helped shape and in the countless professionals she educated and inspired.
With great sorrow,
Sean Griffin
CEO