Oversaw formation of the firm and its legal needs, strategic planning advisor, risk management, transactions, corporate secretarial functions including maintaining cap tables and advising on corporate governance, regulatory affairs, lobbying, legislative drafting of proposed laws and regulations, develop legal and compliance strategy. Identify, assess, control and monitor compliance-related risks and implement action plans to address such issues. Negotiate and draft contracts with business partners, clients, and vendors, including Non-Disclosure Agreements, Shareholder Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, Letters of Intent, contracts and Insurance. Evaluate acquisitions and divestures, including going public. Review and draft commercial leases. Advise business units on the current laws and regulations, including those implemented by the IDFPR, Department of Agriculture, FDA, health laws, and 280(e) taxation issues. Part of the Executive Leadership Team. • Created 11 joint ventures with multiple parties applying for Dispensary, Craft Grow and Transporter licenses.• Part of a 5-person application writing team who wrote 9 perfect scored applications.• Drafted legislation for an evolving industry. Participated in industry initiatives and regulatory work groups.

Startup firm: oversaw formation, strategic planning, risk management, corporate governance, and asset and investment protection. Identify real estate investment opportunities throughout the U.S. Assess feasibility of property acquisitions; ensuring risks are calculated and managed while revenue streams are maximized. Establish joint ventures and business partners for clients. Arrange financing and documentation. Supervise regulatory filings and compliance oversight. Drafted all legal documentation. Manage title review and closing document preparation. Responsible for human resources, ethics and compliance. • Raised capital from global privately held with major family component conglomerate for acquisition of a Fortune 50 commercial property valued at over $250M.• Prepared private placement offerings.

As key decision-maker in ongoing management/operations, ran business w/362 employees, >80 countries, w/29 affiliates/subs: 5 foreign entities -- futures commission merchant; mutual fund; U.S. retail, online, and foreign broker/dealers; registered investment advisers; commodity pool operators; renewable energy company; precious metals trading firm; foreign currency (forex) trading firms; U.S. and foreign commercial construction firm; marketing companies; restaurants; charitable foundation; private aviation company, 120 + introducing brokers/franchisees, & financial publisher.Managed budgets & internal/external legal resources globally. Led growing internal Legal /Compliance (FCPA, Dodd-Frank, SEC, FINRA, SOX, CFTC, NFA, OSC, IROC, BaFin); >100 outside counsel worldwide. Added $1.1B+ in assets under management to Firm’s overall value via asset acquisitions of four global commodity brokerage firms. As part of a 12-person management team, led Firm to dominant industry position with 40% of retail sales. Added $1.1B+ in assets under management to Firm’s overall value via asset acquisitions of four global commodity brokerage firms. Profitably sold major divisions/assets throughout tenure.Formed 23 affiliated financial service companies, including obtaining all necessary licenses. Key decision maker in the ongoing management and operations of these entities, including compliance under FCPA, Dodd-Frank, SEC, CFTC, and SOX regulations.Retained by Trustee to be the Acting Chief Executive Officer responsible for managing the conglomerate through bankruptcy in 2012-2015. Managing winding down and liquidation of conglomerate and being the primary contact for top government officials and regulatory authorities.Skilled litigator w/ impressive win rate, including securities, contract interpretation, employment, and regulatory issues.Drafted offering memo and part of 3-person executive management team for Equity Precious Metals mutual fund ranked #1 by Morningstar.