Innovation & Technology: Shelli Clarkston

Of Counsel
Spencer Fane
Kansas City

Shelli Clarkston spent approximately 12 years in banking before law school — working from teller to compliance and retail operations management — and channeled that experience into a career spent building legal and compliance programs from the ground up. After founding her own practice upon graduation, she went on to create corporate practice areas at multiple firms and later moved in-house to build a community bank’s legal department from scratch.

She subsequently joined Tata Consultancy Services, where she created risk and compliance programs for TCS Bancs, a global financial services platform with implementations across the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Mexico.

She now leads her firm’s fintech practice. Clarkston presents more than 50 webinars annually for the Community Bankers Webinar Network and Credit Union Webinar Network, educating bankers nationwide on regulatory compliance. She also volunteers as a judge for UMKC’s Ellison Moot Court competition.

A mentor once advised her to deepen expertise within a narrow focus — guidance she has followed throughout her career.