Debra Ashley Email and Phone Number

Lead the commercial transactional legal team in Tampa, FL, and deliver a wide range of commercial legal advice in support of global procurement teams in connection with all third party vendor contracts for goods and services across Citi business areas including Technology, Hardware and Software, IT (and non-IT) Professional services, HR and Benefits, Advertising & Marketing, Facilities Services, and Travel. Many of these arrangements are global frameworks, and involvement begins from the request for proposal stage through to implementation across multiple jurisdictions. Provide support for IP/IT issues in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and associated agreements, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, software and technology. Work with business teams, IT professionals, in-house corporate and legal M&A departments and outside counsel, performing due diligence for transactions and preparing transition services agreements as well as reviewing share purchase and other transactional documents.

Reviewed, redlined, drafted and managed contracts for multinational companies. Managed a team of 16 lawyers who prepared contract reviews and research memos in support of Rio Tinto’s worldwide in-house legal department in the areas of procurement, construction, technology, M&A, and dispute resolution. Served as client relationship manager, involving travel to Europe, USA, Singapore, and Australia for liaising with in-house counsel. Developed and responded to business opportunities; worked within and outside dedicated teams to cross-train and up-train attorneys in essential core skills. Directed a larger, multi-shore team in Shared Services on discovery and transaction support projects for multiple international clients, including document review for internal and government investigations, e-discovery for litigation matters, and M&A support.

Maintained full accountability for handling all aspects of day-to-day legal activities in support of organizational goals and objectives, with an emphasis on intellectual property and employment matters. Demonstrated exceptional legal acumen in developing cost-effective legal strategies on issues involving strategic relationships, internet channels, business development, real estate, human resources, and marketing. Supported M&A initiatives by conducting diligence, coordinating transactions and providing transition services agreements. Proactively reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated risks, including training, mentoring, and supervising staff members in the implementation of appropriate processes and procedures. • Served as corporate secretary, with accountability for preparing and reviewing SEC filings and coordinating board meetings. • Authored and monitored Human Resources policies and procedures, oversaw lay-offs and reductions in force, and facilitated immigration matters for company, including applications and processes for student, TN, and H1-B visas and green cards. • Spearheaded all facets of intellectual property enforcement and defense, including all trademark and patent infringement litigation. • Designed and implemented a successful company-wide intellectual property portfolio management program to identify and protect technology innovations and opportunities to leverage existing patents and other intellectual property assets.• Represented company at hearings and mediations for claims, including EEOC charges employment disputes and litigation.

Handled a broad range of complex and sophisticated IT related matters, including counseling clients on information technology, e-business, and other technology matters.• Steered the negotiation and execution of agreements in the areas of intellectual property law and technology transactions, including patent and software licensing deals, technology transfer agreements, research and development matters, IT outsourcing agreements, joint venture agreements, hardware and software maintenance agreements, strategic alliance agreements, co-branding, ASP and other e-commerce agreements. • Developed and applied a strong comprehension in e-commerce, with a focus on compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, HIPAA, Can-Spam, foreign data security laws and regulations, and privacy directives.

Responsible for all intellectual property, technology transactions, and export matters for Solar Turbines, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar, Inc. Developed intellectual property procurement and enforcement strategies. Managed patent licensing matters. Reviewed, drafted, and negotiated contracts for manufacture and sale of products. Prepared export and OFAC license applications. Managed export compliance matters. Counseled clients on international business structures.

Demonstrated exceptional business and legal acumen in overseeing a broad range of issues for this multinational corporation. • Authored and submitted patent licenses, registered trademarks, hired, trained, and mentored foreign attorneys, drafted settlement agreements, and managed cases in various stages of litigation. • Prepared and integrated global company legal policies, including email guidelines, as well as actively supported the in EC anti-dumping case for Asian subsidiary