2017 in-house counsel seminar presenters … · 2017 in-house counsel seminar presenters...

2017 IN-HOUSE COUNSEL SEMINAR PRESENTERS @wardandsmith #inhousecounsel

Rapid Fire Legal Update

Wes Camden Ward and Smith, P.A. [email protected] 919.277.9187 Wes helps businesses and professionals respond to government investigations or criminal prosecutions. A former federal prosecutor, Wes uses his insight to frame his client’s situation, while attempting to mitigate the

damage these investigations frequently bring. The earlier he is involved, the more likely he can alter the direction of the case. Wes also draws on his experience when conducting internal investigations of potential wrongdoing and advising private clients on appropriate responsive actions.

Jerry Sayre Ward and Smith, P.A. [email protected] 919.277.9174 Jerry's practice experience encompasses all aspects of federal and state employment law, including Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act,

Fair Labor Standards Act, and various state law provisions. He regularly defends claims of discrimination (including sex, race, age, national origin, and disability), retaliation, sexual and racial harassment, breach of contract, wrongful discharge, and other work-related tort claims.

Brad Evans Ward and Smith, P.A. [email protected] 252.215.4025 Brad is one of the firm's Managing Directors. His experience encompasses various areas of civil litigation in both the federal and state courts. He has experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including depositions,

hearings, mediations, arbitrations, jury trials, and appeals. Brad also has experience litigating corporate and partnership disputes before the North Carolina Business Court.

Whitney Campbell Christensen Ward and Smith, P.A. [email protected] 919.277.9113 Whitney is a government relations attorney who represents clients before the North Carolina General Assembly, where for eight legislative sessions she has monitored, evaluated, drafted, supported, amended and

opposed legislation in accordance with client needs. She has experience advocating on behalf of large technology companies, professional associations, manufacturers, restaurants and lodging properties, environmental mitigation providers, military and education nonprofits, and local governments.


Avoiding Missteps in the Social Media Minefield

Matt Cordell Corporate Counsel VF Corporation [email protected] Matt Cordell practices law at VF Corporation, a large, global manufacturer and retailer headquartered in Greensboro, NC, where he manages a small team of lawyers handling technology, privacy, and information security law matters worldwide. He is a Certified Information

Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), and is the Chair of the Privacy and Data Security Specialization Committee of the North Carolina State Bar. Before joining VF Corp, he practiced law at Ward and Smith, P.A., where he was a shareholder and led the firm's Privacy and Information Security Practice Group. He earned his law degree, with honors, from the University of North Carolina School of Law, and his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Campbell University. Matt is a frequent speaker at CLEs involving technology and the law. He blogs at www.LawOfPrivacy.com and is active on social media.

Devon Williams Ward and Smith, P.A. [email protected] 919.277.9132 Devon's experience focuses on a wide range of labor and employment issues, including wage and hour matters, federal contractor compliance, employment discrimination and harassment, employee discipline and termination, personnel policies, and background checks. In matters relating to employee benefits, she

concentrates on issues confronting welfare benefit plans (such as medical, dental, and other plans) and their sponsors, including the provisions and impact of the Affordable Care Act.


Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes . . . Facing and Dealing with Organizational Changes

Susan Russo Klein General Counsel Hulsing Hotels, Inc. [email protected] Susan Russo Klein is the General Counsel of Hulsing Enterprises, a hotel and real property group holding 43 companies in six states. In addition to her experience in commercial transactions, acquisitions and employment law, Susan has worked in estate planning,

nonprofit management and legal education. Susan lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband and son.

Kristen Shaheen Corporate Counsel Verint Systems, Inc. [email protected] As former General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for OpinionLab Inc., a Chicago-based technology corporation, Kristen served as the company’s first in-house lawyer and effectively led her client from its early days as a mid-stage start up through to a successful M&A transaction with a global, publicly

traded, software company. Post-acquisition, Kristen merged into the company’s law department and is responsible for revenue contracts, SaaS offerings, including privacy and data security for SaaS offerings, legal support and integration of new acquisitions. Prior to joining OpinionLab, Kristen was a Partner and Managing Attorney of a highly successful litigation practice in New York and appeared on a weekly, live television show providing legal advice to viewers across the state for over a decade. Kristen received her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and is licensed in New York and North Carolina. Kristen has been honored to be named as “Top General Counsel” for 2015, 2016 by First Chair and NC Legal Elite 2016 by Business North Carolina. She resides in Wilmington, North Carolina with her family.


Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes . . . Facing and Dealing with Organizational Changes

Courtney Thomas Associate General Counsel Trilliant Networks, Inc. [email protected] Courtney Thomas is the Associate General Counsel at Trilliant Networks. As Associate General Counsel, Courtney has a lead role in the legal and governance functions of Trilliant and advises on a broad range of legal issues, including transactional, commercial, intellectual property, and employment law matters.

Prior to joining Trilliant, Courtney was a senior lawyer at Credit Suisse, where he advised on corporate governance, U.S. bank regulatory matters, and leverage lending transactions, and served as the manager of Credit Suisse’s Legal Associates Program and as a Co-Chair of the General Counsel Diversity Committee. Before relocating to the Research Triangle, Courtney spent a decade practicing law in New York City, initially at the law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and later at Richards Kibbe & Orbe LLP. His practice at these firms included representation of investment banks, private equity funds, hedge funds, and other financial institutions in connection with various corporate transactions including leverage lending, mergers and acquisitions, and the purchase and sale of U.S. and international distressed assets. Courtney is a graduate of Duke University and New York University School of Law.

Jason Christie Publisher Triangle Business Journal [email protected] Jason Christie is the Market President & Publisher of the Triangle Business Journal, overseeing all operations and strategy for the media company, which include content, advertising, audience, events, production and finance. Prior to this role, Christie was previously Director of Advertising for

the Charlotte Business Journal, part of the American City Business Journal group, a division of Advance Publications, owners of Conde Nast, ACBJ as well as daily & weekly newspapers across the United States. The media industry has been Christie’s passion throughout his professional career. From sports reporter, to spot news photographer, paper carrier, online news director, advertising sales & beyond. He has dedicated his work life to the prosperity of the media industry. In 1995, Christie launched the country’s first daily online newspaper, derived from a print weekly. In 2004, he launched his first dot com company, dedicated to the promotion of online legal notice publishing.. In 2000, he successfully ran & won a bid on his hometown’s city council in Swartz Creek, Michigan, a position he held for 2 terms including a stint as Mayor Pro-Tem. Christie is married to Becky. They have three children Owen (6) and three-year old twin daughters, Layla & Liberty. They reside in Morrisville, NC.


It's All in the Delivery: How Updated Process Improvement Elevates Legal Services

Teresa Davidson Vice President - Legal & General Counsel Volvo Financial Services [email protected] Teresa Davidson is the Vice President - Legal and General Counsel for Volvo Financial Services the Americas. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina Volvo Financial Services is a member of the Volvo Group and provides a broad range of financial products

and services to a variety of companies in the transportation, construction, and marine industries. Ms. Davidson has responsibility for legal, capital markets, regulatory affairs, and compliance matters in North and South America. She serves on AB Volvo's North America Public Affairs Council During her tenure with the Volvo Group, she has been CEO of Volvo Financial Service’s industrial bank and credit card operations in Utah, was responsible for the sale and liquidation of Volvo’s captive insurance operations in the United States and Bermuda, and supported operations in South Africa. She is currently a director/manager of the US, Canada, Chile, and Mexico companies. Teresa obtained a JD with honors from the University of Tennessee and a BA with distinction from the University of Virginia.

Amy Garner Vice President Legal Operations and Reporting Fidelity Investments [email protected] Amy Garner is the Vice President of Legal Operations for Fidelity Investments. Amy is a 25 year veteran of Fidelity, with the last 5 years in the Legal Department. She has held various operations and reporting roles,

primarily in Fidelity’s back-office services groups where process improvement is paramount. Amy also plays a leadership role within the Westlake, Texas regional office by facilitating the Community work stream focused on helping associates feel connected to their local community. Amy graduated from Texas A&M University with degrees in Finance and Management, M.B.A from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She lives in Argyle, Texas with her husband and two children.


It's All in the Delivery: How Updated Process Improvement Elevates Legal Services

Tom Babel Ward and Smith, P.A. [email protected] 910.794.4839 Tom's practice experience encompasses various areas of litigation. He has pretrial, trial, and appellate experience in trademark, trade secret, patent, real estate, products liability, construction, business torts, and contract matters. He also counsels clients on drafting and negotiating commercial transactions, including license, supplier, and vendor agreements;

purchase order terms; divestiture of business segment agreements; and international vendor and supplier agreements Tom has White Belt and Yellow Belt certifications in Legal Lean Sigma® and Project Management from the Legal Lean Sigma Institute.

Angela Doughty, CIPP-US Ward and Smith, P.A. [email protected] 252.672.5471 Angela leads the firm's Intellectual Property practice and is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law. She routinely counsels and assists clients with identifying, protecting, and enforcing their U.S. and international intellectual property rights; anti-counterfeiting and U.S. Customs matters; Internet

and domain law issues, including proceedings before the National Arbitration Forum and World Intellectual Property Organization; website terms of use and privacy policies; branding and franchising agreements; software development and licensing transactions; managing domestic and international property portfolios; and negotiating the acquisition, licensing, and transfer of intellectual property rights. Angela has White Belt and Yellow Belt certifications in Legal Lean Sigma® and Project Management from the Legal Lean Sigma Institute.


Got Sleep? The Personal and Professional Costs of Poor Sleep and What You Can Do About It

Martha F. Simpson, Ph.D. Behavioral Health & Psychiatry, PA [email protected] Martha F. Simpson received her doctorate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a licensed psychologist and licensed clinical addiction specialist. She has been in practice over 25 years working with adults with a variety of problems. She spent 15 years in San Diego, California where she had a private practice, was clinical director of two community clinics, and taught at the graduate level at the California School of Professional Psychology. She returned to North Carolina in 1991 and was in private practice and a provider at the Guilford Pain Management clinic in Greensboro until joining HRC in 2003 and moving to Raleigh. She uses a psychodynamic approach with cognitive behavioral techniques added where useful. She has an adult practice, working with depression, anxiety, addiction, chronic health issues, pain management, trauma and end of life issues. She is a certified in clinical hypnosis and EMDR, a technique used in trauma resolution. She has worked extensively with attorneys and physicians as well as

members of other healthcare professions. Certifications and Associations: Licensed Psychologist Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Certification in Treatment of Alcohol & Other Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders APA College of Professional Psychology Certification in Clinical Hypnosis American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

2017 in-house counsel seminar presenters … · 2017 in-house counsel seminar presenters...

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