PLI is arguably North America's largest and most sophisticated manufacturer of custom-designed retail gift cards, hotel key cards, loyalty cards and related packaging products. Each of its four sophisticated manufacturing plants has state-of-the-art equipment and talented team members to serve our customers and to help them grow their brands.As the Company's General Counsel, I am responsible for ensuring legal compliance in the drafting and negotiation of various types of contracts and… Show more PLI is arguably North America's largest and most sophisticated manufacturer of custom-designed retail gift cards, hotel key cards, loyalty cards and related packaging products. Each of its four sophisticated manufacturing plants has state-of-the-art equipment and talented team members to serve our customers and to help them grow their brands.As the Company's General Counsel, I am responsible for ensuring legal compliance in the drafting and negotiation of various types of contracts and legal documents including those relating to customers, vendors, employees, consultants, real estate, insurance, intellectual property, distribution and logistics, corporate governance, finance and accounting, and I.T. I work with virtually every department of the company such as Sales, Operations, Production, I.T., and Human Resources, and with all of the plant locations' site directors and local management teams to not only ensure compliance, but to also to provide sound business solutions to legal challenges and problems. In addition, I manage and guide the company's strategies in defending and prosecuting lawsuits and claims with the goal of successfully resolving each matter quickly and efficiently. In reporting to the CEO, I provide daily advice in all areas of the Company's business to reduce legal exposure while providing clear lanes for business maneuverability, and assist the CEO in the areas of corporate governance, M&A, and matters with the Company's private equity owners, the Board and various management committees. Show less

I specialize in guiding manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors, online sellers and retailers in taking their companies to the next level in product quality, safety and compliance, social accountability, supply chain security and environmental compliance and stewardship. With more than 25 years of experience in product safety law and regulatory compliance, and helping consumer products companies set-up and maintain exceptional product compliance departments and programs, I was able… Show more I specialize in guiding manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors, online sellers and retailers in taking their companies to the next level in product quality, safety and compliance, social accountability, supply chain security and environmental compliance and stewardship. With more than 25 years of experience in product safety law and regulatory compliance, and helping consumer products companies set-up and maintain exceptional product compliance departments and programs, I was able to help all product makers and sellers, large and small, to protect their businesses from liability risks (e.g., lawsuits, fines and penalties, and recalls) as well as potential business losses and reputational damage, while growing their sales and enhancing their reputations through better product safety and responsible sourcing practices. I endeavored to provide my clients with practical and cost-effective solutions to complex business, regulatory and customer problems to ensure their company was provided sound advice, clear guidance and valuable team training. Show less

ETS Express is a leading promotional products manufacturer specializing in high quality promotional drinkware decorated with clients' corporate logos and other marketing messages. ETS is considered by many industry leaders to be the #1 drinkware supplier in the promotional products industry. I was responsible for all legal matters but, as many folks know, my true mission in life is all about product safety and compliance. As a collaborative team, we had accomplished much in the product… Show more ETS Express is a leading promotional products manufacturer specializing in high quality promotional drinkware decorated with clients' corporate logos and other marketing messages. ETS is considered by many industry leaders to be the #1 drinkware supplier in the promotional products industry. I was responsible for all legal matters but, as many folks know, my true mission in life is all about product safety and compliance. As a collaborative team, we had accomplished much in the product compliance area and had patiently implemented one of the most robust product safety/compliance programs in the promotional drinkware business. Show less

TUV SUD AMERICA is part of TUV SUD Group, a leading technical services company with its global headquarters in Munich, Germany. With over 600 locations and 15,000 employees worldwide, TUV SUD is indeed one of the world's largest testing, auditing, inspection, certification and training companies. TUV SUD's U.S.A. headquarters are located in Massachusetts with other offices and facilities throughout the U.S. including 3 facilities in California. I represented the company in its consumer… Show more TUV SUD AMERICA is part of TUV SUD Group, a leading technical services company with its global headquarters in Munich, Germany. With over 600 locations and 15,000 employees worldwide, TUV SUD is indeed one of the world's largest testing, auditing, inspection, certification and training companies. TUV SUD's U.S.A. headquarters are located in Massachusetts with other offices and facilities throughout the U.S. including 3 facilities in California. I represented the company in its consumer products testing, inspection, and auditing group on the West Coast, with special focus on the toy, children's products and softlines safety and quality. Show less

I was employed as the West Coast representative for STR, which is a global leader in consumer products testing, inspection, auditing, factory capabilities, social compliance and consumer product services for major manufacturers, importers and retailers around the world. As luck would have it, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the most comprehensive consumer product safety regulation ever passed by Congress, went into effect as law at the start of my tenure at STR.… Show more I was employed as the West Coast representative for STR, which is a global leader in consumer products testing, inspection, auditing, factory capabilities, social compliance and consumer product services for major manufacturers, importers and retailers around the world. As luck would have it, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the most comprehensive consumer product safety regulation ever passed by Congress, went into effect as law at the start of my tenure at STR. Assisting the company's clients in learning and coping with the complex safety requirements, and helping them to bring their products into compliance, was challenging and rewarding. Show less

Kids' Meal toys. Lots of Kids' Meal toys. EMAK was all about premiums, toys and promotional marketing programs for kids, 'tweens and teens. Burger King, Subway, Yum! Brands, Kellogg's, Hilton Hotels, Macy's, Nordstrom, and others were our key clients. Equity Marketing, Johnson Grossfield, SCI Promotions, Upshot, Logistix (UK), MegaPrint (UK) were some of the companies owned and operated by EMAK Worldwide, the parent company. As VP, Associate General Counsel, my responsibilities included… Show more Kids' Meal toys. Lots of Kids' Meal toys. EMAK was all about premiums, toys and promotional marketing programs for kids, 'tweens and teens. Burger King, Subway, Yum! Brands, Kellogg's, Hilton Hotels, Macy's, Nordstrom, and others were our key clients. Equity Marketing, Johnson Grossfield, SCI Promotions, Upshot, Logistix (UK), MegaPrint (UK) were some of the companies owned and operated by EMAK Worldwide, the parent company. As VP, Associate General Counsel, my responsibilities included all the management and handling of all day-to-day business and legal affairs for the parent company and all of its subsidiaries worldwide, including contract administration, licensing, intellectual property clearances, employment law, sweepstakes and contests, and other legal matters that came across my desk. But ensuring that all of our products met and exceeded applicable product safety and compliance requirements demanded most of my attention. What a great, fulfilling ride it was while it lasted (until the company imploded). Show less

Responsible for all day-to-day business and legal affairs for the company, including legal oversight of all contract administration, real estate and construction matters, risk management, employee relations, loss prevention, marketing and promotions, sweepstakes, and litigation.

Originally hired as a real estate lawyer for the then rapidly expanding Disney Store retail chain, I soon inherited (or had created for me) a number of other responsibilities, including the handling of day-to-day business and legal affairs for The Disney Store, The Disney Catalog (now Disney Online), and other Disney business units, the formation and legal management of Disney's product safety and compliance program, the drafting and negotiations of promotional tie-in agreements for several… Show more Originally hired as a real estate lawyer for the then rapidly expanding Disney Store retail chain, I soon inherited (or had created for me) a number of other responsibilities, including the handling of day-to-day business and legal affairs for The Disney Store, The Disney Catalog (now Disney Online), and other Disney business units, the formation and legal management of Disney's product safety and compliance program, the drafting and negotiations of promotional tie-in agreements for several Disney motion pictures, animated features and television marketing teams that did business with promotional and marketing partners such as Coca-Cola, Burger King, McDonald's, and many others, and even overseeing and drafting the rules for all of Disney's promotional sweepstakes and contests worldwide. My best memories include handling sensitive situations involving Guest complaints about Disney's services and products and finding creative solutions to exceed the Guests' expectations while, at the same time, protecting Disney's valuable interests and excellent reputation. Show less