Jennifer Costa, Cipp/Us, Jd Email & Phone Number

Houston, Tx, Us

Greater Houston

Houston, Texas, United States

Advise executive team on development of AI privacy product, and go to market strategy.

Houston, Texas, United States

• Privacy & Cybersecurity Risk Advisory: Advise on compliance with privacy laws, establishing policies and procedures related to privacy and data security, incident response readiness, and SEC disclosure obligations related to cyber risk management and material incidents. Advise public company directors on execution of Board responsibility for oversight of cyber risk. Conduct risk assessments under NIST framework and PCI DSS to identify gaps in privacy and security, and opportunities for enhancement of privacy and security program. Advise on mitigation of privacy and cybersecurity risk in preparation for IPO.• Incident Response: Lead response to significant cybersecurity incidents for public and private companies, including directing forensic investigation, advising on privacy laws, contractual considerations, and crisis communications. Respond to regulatory inquiries related to incidents.• Transactional Services: Negotiate technology transactions, data security addenda, and payment card agreements. Counseling on marketing and advertising compliance for retailers and video gaming companies.

Houston, Texas Area

Manage the Legal and Risk Management functions for publicly traded retailer with approximately 800 stores in 42 states. Lead strategic business development initiatives.• Privacy / Data Security: Founded Privacy Office. Advise on best practices for privacy and data security risk management. Conduct risk impact assessments. Prepared and implemented incident response plan, including organizing table top exercises. Drafted privacy statements for eCommerce and HIPAA. Created standard privacy and data security templates for vendor agreements. HIPAA Privacy Officer since 2015.• Commercial Contracts: Established minimum standards for indemnity, liability and insurance. Recruited, trained and continue to manage team of lawyers and paralegals who handle contracts for HR, IT, Logistics and Supply Chain, Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, and Real Estate. Lead negotiation of sophisticated contracts, including corporate finance.• Marketing / eCommerce: Advise on best practices and mitigation of risk related to marketing and advertising. Created Advertising and Pricing Compliance Policy, and conducted training. Reduced outside counsel spend by training in-house counsel to handle advertising review. Managed trademark portfolio. Drafted and implemented ethical sourcing policy. Partnered with Marketing to create a crisis response plan. Member of eCommerce working and steering committees tasked with setting strategic priorities.• Corporate Governance / Securities: Fulfill duties of Corporate Secretary. Advise on compliance with NYSE listing standards, SEC regulations and Corporate Governance Guidelines. Draft Proxy Statement and form 8-Ks. Review and approve form 4, 10-Q and 10-K filings. Provide pre-clearance for insider transactions.• M&A: Managed diligence process related to contractual liability of target. Advised on acquisition of customer lists and data. Member of Transition Committee charged with integrating acquired assets.

Houston, Texas Area

Houston, Texas

Columbus, Ohio

Lead Omnichannel Marketing, eCommerce and Privacy Counsel for Fortune 500 retailer with approximately 1,500 stores in 48 states. • Marketing / eCommerce: Approve all in-store, print, TV, radio, social media and digital marketing and advertising materials. Advise on ad standards and regulations. Negotiate and draft agreements, including: advertising and creative agency services; advertising placement; intellectual property licenses; location agreements; sponsorship; SaaS; cloud data hosting; SEO; website analytics; and vendor services. Draft sweepstakes rules and advised on contest administration. Establish plan for public relations crisis management. Manage trademark portfolio and clear new marks. Pre-litigation dispute resolution, including issuing and responding to cease and desist letters. Train junior counsel. • Privacy / Data Security: Establish and lead Big Lots’ Privacy Office. Partner with Information Security to create comprehensive privacy and data security program, including incident response plan. Advise Legal, Marketing, HR, IT, Operations, Asset Protection and Finance Departments on best practices for privacy and data security risk management. Draft standard privacy and data security addendum for Legal Department. Negotiate privacy and data security provisions for high volume of cloud software agreements. Act as Secretary for Information Security Steering Committee and prepare meeting minutes. Advise on cyber liability insurance. Supervise outside counsel.

Santa Monica, California

Representative clients: multi-platform media start-up JuntoBox Films; international electronics manufacturer Plantronics, Inc.; online advertising agencies Engager Digital, Inc. and Mediakix, LLC; video game developer S2 Games, LLC; social media application developer Dather, Inc.; luxury handbag brands “Kale” and “Trace;” and video game marketing agency ESS Agency.• Privacy: Risk management assessment, including review and overhaul of company policies and procedures. Advised on privacy compliance requirements, including COPPA, CAN-SPAM and EU Safe Harbor. Incident response for data and security breaches. Managed outside litigation counsel. Participated in negotiation of settlements, including consent decrees related to data security breach. • Digital Media: Drafted website policies, including terms and conditions for use of site, privacy, DMCA and terms of sale. Negotiated and drafted agreements for: licensing of proprietary technology; platform development; software licenses; end-user licenses; digital content production; distribution and licensing of original content; and music licenses. • Marketing / Advertising: Drafted rules for contests and sweepstakes, including video game tournaments. Advised on administration of sweepstakes and contests. Supervised foreign counsel. Drafted insertion orders for placement of advertising. Advised on IAB standard terms and conditions. Negotiated and drafted co-branding, product placement, sponsorship and endorsement agreements.• Corporate: Negotiated and drafted agreements, including: trademark licenses; consumer product manufacturing; non-disclosure; independent contractor services; vendor services; joint venture; commercial leases; software; and data hosting. Organized corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies and prepare related documents. Conducted due diligence for mergers and acquisitions. Pre-litigation resolution of disputes. Advised on corporate structure and governance.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Promoted from “Senior Counsel” to “General Counsel” for CGS and its subsidiaries, a unique global video game league and media property established and owned by DIRECTV and News Corp. companies BSKYB and STAR. Provided legal and strategic counsel to executive team regarding all aspects of business, including television production, league operation, multimedia distribution and operations. Responsible for management of the legal department and its budget, human resources, corporate governance and wind down of the business. Supervised internal staff and outside counsel (domestic and international). Managed international intellectual property portfolio of corporate and 18 team trademarks. Drafted agreements relating to all aspects of enterprise including: TV production; video game licenses; cable and satellite broadcast distribution; online content distribution and syndication; mobile distribution, trademark licensing; promotional contest rules; league sponsorship; joint venture; vendor services; assignment of IP rights; sales and media agency services; data hosting and telecommunications; non-disclosure; commercial leases; and employment and independent contractor services for athletes, on-air talent, production staff and crew, and corporate headquarters.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Lead counsel for start-up fuel cell research and development company. Advised executive team on daily management, corporate governance and provided recommendations on risk management. Drafted all contracts necessary for operations, including: consulting services; nondisclosure; investor subscription; product testing; product licensing; software licensing; and agency for private placement. Drafted quarterly reports, corporate resolutions and company policies and procedures, including protocols for fundraising and publicity. Managed outside counsel relating to patent prosecution, securities, and litigation.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Managed complex matters for firm specializing in corporate transactions, entertainment transactions, intellectual property, and business litigation. Negotiated and drafted contracts related to: joint ventures; partnerships; co-branding; product licensing; motion picture production and distribution; venue/location; master use and synchronization; options for acquisition of literary material; management of musicians; live performance of music; television distribution; commercial leases; consulting services; data hosting and telecommunications; and software licensing. Research, analysis and registration of copyrights and trademarks. Prepared litigation strategies, drafted pleadings and argued cases in complex business and intellectual property disputes. Advised on start-up operations and corporate formations. Supervised junior and outside counsel.

J.D.

B.A., Psychology