Mary O’Connell Email & Phone Number

Rochester, Ny, Us

Rochester, New York Metropolitan Area

Rochester, New York, United States

As the senior member of the corporate and commercial law practice, I concentrate in the representation of technology companies, start-up ventures, professional services companies and other small to medium size businesses and their stakeholders on a broad variety of transactional and corporate matters, including commercial contracts with customers and vendors, financing agreements, employee contracts and disputes, board and corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions.

Rochester, New York

Responsible for all corporate and commercial matters for this privately-held start-up alternative energy company.

Fairport, Ny

Promoted to serve as one of five key members of senior executive team, advising the Board, the CEO, and executive management on all legal, regulatory, and HR functions. Managed staff of 60. Provided guidance on strategic transactions, Board and corporate governance, complex commercial transactions, litigation, and debt financing. Served as a creative problem solver and consensus-building communicator as the legal executive. Executive Leadership:* Corporate Governance – Corporate Secretary and Counsel to Board, Compensation Committee, and Audit Committee. Developed and implemented changes to Board structure, creating lead director role and transparent nomination system that facilitated a favorable proxy advisor rating. Transitioned Board from a private company to a public company organization with PAETEC 2007 IPO.* Financings/High Yield Debt Offerings – Performed comprehensive legal support and project management required to raise high-yield debt. Secured favorable borrower terms/conditions for successive traunches of debt, negotiating covenant terms and conditions. Advised on legal implications of marketing. * Strategic Direction & Oversight – Excelled in Law Department management, directing legal and regulatory functions, improving business processes, controlling expenses, and efficiently serving the needs of business units. Positioned Legal area as business partner. * Securities Compliance – Ensured strict adherence through comprehensive legal review of all public company reporting obligations. Created, reviewed, and implemented equity and agent warrant plans. Accountable for regulation FD education and compliance.* Mergers & Acquisitions – Legal leader for all strategic ventures and transactions, including the purchase of seven companies between 2009 and 2011 with aggregate totals of $550M.

Fairport, Ny

Served as PAETEC’s first Ethics Officer, accepting challenging role following March 2007 IPO. Created and launched public company compliance/ethics policies, as well as associated training programs across the organization. Held responsibility for all FINRA inquiries. * Ensured Sarbanes-Oxley compliance by guiding the internal audit team on improved processes/procedures. Personally conducted or oversaw 40+ successful compliance investigations. * Initiated Code of Business Conduct, in addition to the well-received, effective Whistleblower Hotline.* Produced results while managing a broad range of high volume commercial and transactional responsibilities, including all customer contracts, sales commission plans, purchasing contracts, software division sales, and equipment sales divisions. * Evaluated and improved retail sales contract forms and processes, streamlining contracts administration.

Fairport, Ny

Rochester, Ny

Rochester, Ny

Rochester, Ny

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

Juris Doctor

Moot Court Champion

Bachelor Of Arts, Government

Graduated with Distinction