General practice with availability to perform freelance, contract and referral work with/for other law offices or as hired "in-house" counsel, including projects, contract review and negotiations, motion practice, court/hearing appearances, case-management and dispute resolution.

Provided in-house legal counsel to Steuben Foods and related businesses, reporting to the General Counsel, CEO and select senior management. Primarily provided legal support to Steuben Foods and EMPact America. • Served in strategic leadership position and legal counsel for technologically advanced contract manufacturer and private label supplier of aseptically packaged and extended shelf life food and beverage products. • Managed company’s legal affairs as needed, including corporate governance, marketing/advertising, negotiating customer, vendor and employee agreements, confidentiality agreements, regulatory and compliance issues, advertising and intellectual property matters, as well as resolving employee and insurance issues, managing outside counsel, and handling other legal and business-related matters that arose.

As part of job responsibilities with Steuben Foods, which created and sponsored EMPact America, fulfilled all duties of Vice President and Director of Operations of EMPact America, including day-to-day activities and operations of 501(c)(4) not-for-profit focused upon national security and infrastructure issues.• Planned and carried out education and advocacy for local, state and national projects and programs, including all events and activities described on the organization's websites. • Oversaw all organization branding, media assets, presentations, conferences, training, strategic alliances, government relations membership development, websites, promotions and sales.

Provided in-house legal counsel for all internal matters, reporting to the General Counsel and senior management of multiple North American operating corporations and business units. Primarily provided legal support to Howden Buffalo Inc., an ISO 9001:2000 certified original equipment manufacturer of highly engineered industrial and utility fans and air movement equipment, but also for its parent and sister organizations in North America (including Anderson Group and ESAB North America).• Successfully managed a large work load, including completing key contract negotiations, managing outside counsel, and acting as sole counsel during restructuring.• Earned regular merit increases, special recognition and additional bonuses.• Successfully analyzed, drafted, and negotiated contracts, licenses, and businessarrangements, including key master agreements, blanket orders, and alliance agreements.• Acted as a key business partner, promoting fast, efficient, and favorable resolutions of transaction issues while consistently meeting all legal and regulatory requirements and company policies.• Developed, implemented, and managed contracts and insurance administration methods reducing the company's liability exposure while simultaneously helping to grow the business.• Provided leadership in the development of key business and legal policies, procedures, and strategies.• Educated and counseled individuals within the organization to identify/avoid business risksresulting in increased compliance and reduction of the company's liability exposure.• Successfully negotiated with customers, vendors, and subcontractors in breach of contract situations to reach amicable resolutions, and structured alternative arrangements to preserve key relationships and/or maximize the company's realization value.• Effectively managed reporting legal staff and outside counsel (U.S. and international) to maximize efficiency, cost savings, and results.

Business attorney supporting multiple offices of full service law firm (Firm Size: 275+ attorneys). Member of General Business & Corporate, Intellectual Property & Technology, E-Business & Technology, and International Business practice groups.• Successfully represented corporate clients in various matters related to business formation, governance, capitalization, finance, corporate clean up and maintenance, ongoing business matters, regulation, compliance, and securities investigations.• Analyzed, drafted, and negotiated sophisticated contracts, licenses, and business documents.• Assisted clients with securities, capitalization, and recapitalization, including stock offerings, securities filings, debt facilities, promissory notes, guarantees, and distressed operation matters.• Represented clients in mergers and acquisitions, including asset purchases and sales, corporate stock and limited liability company membership acquisitions, and merger agreements.• Completed transactions involving purchases of commercial property, tax and financial incentives, zoning issues, joint ownership agreements, and leasing (commercial & residential).• Counseled clients on intellectual property and technology matters, including development, advertising, licensing, transfers, and protection of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.• Successfully represented commercial and corporate clients in dispute resolution, including negotiating settlements and assisting with commercial arbitration and litigation.• Advised e-business and technology clients regarding website development and hosting, terms of use, corporate and website policies, and eCommerce issues.

Counseled management and mortgage professionals on laws and regulations related to the mortgage industry. Successfully managed a team of mortgage professionals within the company, including oversight of all business development, advertising, compliance, and transaction completion.

Corporate attorney supporting main office of full service law firm. Member of Corporate, Technology, and Intellectual Property practice groups. Successfully represented a broad range of clients, including publicly traded and privately held companies, major banks, and governments. Active member of several key-client support teams. Responsibilities included: • Assisted with corporate formation, general corporate matters, mergers, asset purchases, stock acquisitions, stock offerings and recapitalizations, preparation of stock option plans, eCommerce agreements, licensing and leasing agreements, shareholders' agreements, employment agreements, non-compete agreements, certificates, resolutions, proxy statements, securities filings, schedules, and closing documents; • Researched and provided legal advice on a broad range of issues, including broker-dealer, mortgage broker, and investment advisor registration, compliance, privacy notices, and referral compensation; • Counseled clients regarding technology exporting and commerce issues, including analysis and application of the Uniform Commercial Code, United States Export Administration Regulations (EAR), FAR/DFAR, and International Chamber of Commerce Incoterms; and • Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated contracts, as well as private and public company policies regarding compensation, consumer privacy, data retention and destruction, computer network and Internet use, theft, allegations of scientific misconduct, and an assortment of regulatory compliance issues.