Assisting growing companies.

Associate General Counsel, U.S., 2012-2015Regional Counsel, U.S., 2011-2012================================Served as the first U.S. based attorney for subsidiary of publicly traded Canadian corporation. Position focused on legal matters relating to Company’s growing U.S. business consisting of 850+ units. During tenure, 256 new restaurants were added to the system in the U.S. Served as a member of the senior leadership team responsible for franchise compliance, transactions and relationships; real estate development and construction; employment; marketing and promotions; general commercial contracts and litigation. Managed a $1 million budget.== Implemented a cross-functional platform for multi-unit franchise development to achieve Company’s strategic goals of accelerating U.S. growth using less business capital. == Drafted, negotiated and completed Company’s first Area Development agreements to expand the brand to areas in Missouri, Indiana and North Dakota. Program will add a substantial number of new points of sale over the next five years.== Recruited and led a U.S. legal team of 8 attorneys, paralegals and staff. Maintained an engaged team through reorganization and leading to parent Company’s acquisition by private equity company 3G Capital. Company is now a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International, Inc. (QSR), which also owns Burger King brand.

Responsible for all legal affairs of this privately held business which is the operator and franchisor of Charley's Grilled Subs and Charley Philly Steaks restaurants with 400+ units worldwide.

Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, 2004-2009Managing Corporate Counsel, 2002-2004Senior Corporate Counsel, 2000-2002Corporate Counsel, 1997-2000=========================================Managed a range of legal, transactional and asset management services for Wendy’s and its subsidiaries. Responsible for U.S. real estate development, internal controls including maintaining and controlling Company’s lease database, and identifying and implementing advanced technology solutions to improve unit performance. Led a team of 21 attorneys, paralegals and staff in the Real Estate section, and forecast and controlled a budget of multi-million dollar budget.== Led collaborative initiative involving cross-functional groups to complete large-scale projects such as multi-unit acquisition and divestiture of operating restaurants. == Key member of legal team in Wendy’s merger with Triarc Companies, Inc. (Arby’s). Provided critical information for Board of Directors’ analysis of strategic alternatives. Managed bidder due diligence requests and secured third party consents to complete the merger.== Negotiated commitment letter and escrow agreement for multi-million dollar transaction (in excess of $500 million) sale-leaseback transaction involving 425 operating restaurant properties for proposed stapled financing.== Led the legal team which achieved a crucial Company strategic goal by selling 128 restaurant properties in 24 states to an investor for a multi-million dollar purchase price within the Company’s 4Q time frame.

Responsible for transactions involving Company's department store, warehouse and corporate real estate; member of M&A team.