Whitney Harper Email & Phone Number

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl, Us

Ponte Vedra, Fl

Serving the legal needs and providing strategic counsel to management teams, in-house counsel, PE firms and PE-backed portfolio companies, ADVOS legal leverages experiences as corporate counsel and in large firm practices in areas critical for growth - corporate structure, intellectual property, contract management, acquisitions, buyouts, strategic partnerships, commercial transactions, and related areas of law.

Jacksonville, Florida Area

In this position, I leverage my strategic, analytical and executional expertise to drive innovation within our business - all with a relentless focus on profitably and efficiently providing our customers ever-better service and ever-increasing value as we transform the transportation and language services industry.

As the company's chief legal counsel, I partnered with key stakeholders at all levels of the organization to improve and protect the organization’s value and strategic position through multiple mergers and acquisitions each year, major initiatives for organic growth and business development, and the high-performance execution of the day-to-day business.

Responsible for all aspects of corporate legal affairs, including litigation, internal legal questions and corporate contracts. Guided the company through the successful divestiture of one of the company’s two business units, including active negotiation of all agreements, responding to diligence requests, and leading the company through the post-sale transition period.Advised the human resources department on employment law issuesLead the company’s compliance program.Acted as a liaison between the company and various state and federal legislative/regulatory bodies.Provided the company with accurate, complete, up-to-date and relevant information regarding the legal and regulatory requirements governing its operations, and any changes to such requirements.Advised the company of new or emerging regulatory issues that may affect the company’s operations.Consulted with business units on the impact of legal and regulatory requirements on new business strategies, projects, systems and processes, and helped identify and implement necessary changes to ensure compliance. Monitored and managed the implementation of such changes, as needed.Supervised and reported on the results of compliance audits.Ensured that all associates received appropriate compliance-related training, including new hire training, annual compliance training, and other programs as needed.Managed, directed and budgeted for the Government Affairs and Regulatory Compliance Department.

Protect and improve the value and strategic position of the company by providing legal and business leadership as an active member of the Executive Team.Counsel and advise Board of Directors, senior management, human resources and others regarding legal and regulatory matters.Lead the company through several corporate acquisitions/divestitures each year, including screening of targets, diligence, agreement negotiation and post-closing transition and integration planning and execution.Draft and negotiate commercial contracts and other transactional agreements, as well as executive employment and related agreements.Manage outside counsel and direct strategy for handling legal matters.Develop and communicate policies and procedures related to risk management, legal and regulatory compliance (including workers’ compensation and other healthcare regulations) and handling of legal matters.Direct the company’s Internal Audits and Compliance department to ensure the company is aware of and in compliance with internal and external requirements (both legal/regulatory and operational/business rules).Lead successful continuous improvement teams addressing high-priority, cross-functional opportunities for improvement.

Employment law (employer defense) litigation and counseling; General litigation

J.D.

Activities and Societies: Florida Law Review (Editor in Chief), John Marshall Bar Association (Director)

B.A., Political Science, International Relations

Activities and Societies: Alpha Delta Pi, Order of Omega