I've been incredibly lucky to acquire a lifetime's worth of legal and practical expertise in cloud services, electronic transactions and digital transformation. And with 20+ years in the software/Internet space -- including 10 as a senior exec at a Silicon Valley success story --I've had the opportunity to meet and learn from legal and business leaders all over the world, and I'm grateful for having the chance to exchange knowledge and ideas with so many of them, either through speaking at their events, engaging with small groups to solve urgent problems, or just chatting one-on-one.
PHILOSOPHY
My passion for digital transformation is stoked by the sheer exhilaration of leading startups across "the chasm", into viral adoption and revenue growth. And I've learned that you can't succeed just by having a great product and a great business model in today's whirlwind of technological disruption; you've got to be sensitive to the political and cultural responses to them, and recognize the need to drive advances in policies, laws and attitudes toward disruptive technological change.
MY PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
My experiences as a lawyer, executive, entrepreneur and salesman have all influenced my outlook and approach to business, technology and the law. Since 2006 I've worked with transformation leaders from the public sector, Fortune 500, startups, and everywhere in between. We all have the same burning desire to execute on aggressive plans for process improvement, to innovate with confidence, and to make history.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
February 2016 - Present
President & Chief Legal Officer
Founded a family of entities offering legal and consulting services to medium- and large-sized businesses in support of their “digital transformation” efforts. Developed a three-tiered methodology for delivering assessments, project management, and training services, all focused on helping clients achieve maximum, measurable results. Set up a network of talented contributors to furnish clients with appropriate levels of subject matter expertise and project delivery.
July 2006 - February 2016
Chief Policy Officer
Spearhead company's efforts to remove barriers to adoption of DTM worldwide. Developed company’s innovative public policy program, the first of its kind in the industry. Built coalitions with state and federal government and business stakeholders – including competitors – to successfully educate and persuade decision makers to enact changes in policy and legislation to support adoption of digital transactions. Established National ESIGN Day by concurrent resolutions in U.S. House and Senate. Proposed and obtained pilot project for e-signature on IRS for 4506-T, resulting in significant changes in IRS policy. Recruited by Congressional staff to advise on and ultimately draft the Small Business Loan Simplification Act of 2014. Sole U.S. envoy to European Commission private sector summit on e-identity.
Chief Legal Officer
Built and led the DocuSign's legal, corporate, regulatory compliance, privacy, cybersecurity, and risk management programs. Led efforts to change state and federal laws, regulations and agency guidance to support use and adoption of electronic signatures and records. Established first DocuSign advisory council (the GC Summit). Hosted over 1,000 meetings and calls with customers, prospects and their counsel to address legal questions regarding electronic signatures and digital transactions. Recruited, trained and retained an award-winning team of lawyers and paralegals to support business growing at 80% YoY. Created legal framework to support a SaaS business model with multiple revenue channels. Managed litigation matters to successful outcomes, under budget. Grew IP portfolio by 10x. Designed, staffed and managed company's original Human Resources, Product Support, Professional Services and Security departments. Pioneered early efforts to introduce Digital Transaction Management into European markets. Established Service Level Agreements for internal clients. Set standard for internal and external excellence in delivering legal services, with emphasis on being easy to work with. Reported to CEO.
INSIGHTFUL CORP. (NASDAQ:IFUL)
April 2001 - July 2006
General Counsel & Secretary
Used post-IPO experience to rapidly bring the company into compliance with SEC requirements. Implemented initial SOX compliance programs. Responsible for SEC reporting, investor relations and all communications with regulatory and self-regulatory organizations. Managed delisting crisis by timely engaging appropriate internal and external resources and by establishing relationships with regulatory agencies, averting more serious consequences. Created worldwide distributor and reseller program. Audited product code base for open source and third-party code to ensure compliance with licenses. Created strategy for leveraging open source software under a commercial licensing model, and later lectured on this topic in an international legal education series. Successfully closed and integrated four acquisitions, including three international subsidiaries. Established all of company's international subsidiaries, including establishing and maintaining processes for global HR compliance and benefits parity. Negotiated purchase of core IP, saving the company millions in royalties. Reported to CEO. Insightful was acquired by TIBCO Software Inc. in 2008.
ASKME CORPORATION
May 2000 - April 2001
As the company’s sole legal officer, advised executive team on all general legal matters, including founder stock transfers, employment actions, and creation and restructuring of major deals. Managed outsourced legal services, reducing company’s monthly legal expenditures by 80%. Reported to CFO.
ONYX SOFTWARE (NASDAQ:ONXS)
April 1995 - May 2000
Legal Counsel
Consulted to startup during law school years and joined full time as attorney. Pre- and post-IPO, managed day-to-day legal activities of Onyx, including worldwide management of outside counsel. Reported to CFO and General Counsel. Onyx Software Corp. was acquired by Consona Corporation in 2006.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Chairman, Public Policy Committee
Established ESRA’s Public Policy Committee, focused on addressing legislative and regulatory issues affecting adoption of electronic signatures and records. Authored and implemented ESRA’s public policy strategic playbook. Managed a growing team of volunteers from disparate and competitive industries. Regularly engaged with Congress, federal agencies, state regulators and legislators, the European Commission, and standards organizations such as NIST, ETSI, and CEN. Key driver for electronic signature policy changes at U.S. Treasury, Small Business Administration and Federal Housing Administration.
Identity Ecosystem Steering Group
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST)
Original member of the Steering Group formed by a White House initiative to develop a national e-identity ecosystem. An independent, non-profit organization dedicated to creating the future of trusted digital identities, the IDESG issued version 1 of its Identity Ecosystem Framework in October 2015.
U.S. Delegate to UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
UN/CEFACT Serves as the focal point for trade facilitation recommendations and electronic business standards, covering both commercial and government business processes that can foster growth in international trade and related services. Contributed subject matter expertise to projects tasked with revising Recommendation 14 – Authentication of Trade Documents (2014) and Recommendation 1 – UN Layout Key for Trade Documents (2015).
Observer, Committee on Identity Management in Electronic Commerce
The committee is working to consider whether there are viable uniform or model legal approaches to address concerns about trustworthiness, including for example, disclosure requirements that allow parties to accurately assess risks; giving various legal effects to certain types of conduct that might enhance or detract from trust; and imposing requirements that govern conduct to ensure trust.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor
Winner of Client Counseling competition, finalist in Mock Trial competition, member of Moot Court Honor Board, elected to Editorial Staff of Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal, named Executive Officer of Business Law Group.
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
B.A. Business Administration
B.S. Political Science
Rowed crew, pursued two degrees and led the Counsel of Independent Students to its highest membership participation in school history. Graduated in four years.
北海道大学
(HOKKIADO UNIVERSITY)
Summer session in Sapporo, Japan. Placed with non-English speaking host families.
Japanese Language
Thomas Jefferson