Corporate Governance Attorney Resume Example

Lead Corporate Counsel, Governance & Securities · Finnovate Solutions Inc.

San Francisco, CA · 2018 - Present

• Led corporate governance for a publicly traded fintech company ($10B+ market cap), guiding the Board and executive team through SEC reporting, NYSE compliance, and shareholder engagement, achieving 98% proxy approval rates annually.
• Developed and implemented ESG governance policies, resulting in a 15% improvement in MSCI ESG rating within two years and attracting over $500M in ESG-focused institutional investment.
• Managed all aspects of securities law compliance, including 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K filings, and insider trading policies, ensuring zero material misstatements or non-compliance issues.
• Advised on over 10 M&A transactions totaling $3B+, conducting due diligence and ensuring seamless integration of governance structures for acquired entities.
• Streamlined board committee charters and meeting processes, reducing preparation time by 20% and enhancing board effectiveness and oversight.

Senior Associate, Corporate Governance & Securities · Sterling Capital Law Group

San Francisco, CA · 2014 - 2018

• Provided expert counsel to 20+ public and private financial institutions on corporate governance best practices, compliance with Dodd-Frank, SOX, and NASDAQ/NYSE listing rules.
• Successfully guided 5 companies through IPO readiness assessments and post-IPO governance implementation, ensuring timely and accurate regulatory filings.
• Drafted and negotiated governance provisions in complex debt and equity financing transactions totaling over $7B for financial sector clients.
• Conducted internal investigations and advised audit committees on regulatory enforcement actions, leading to successful resolutions and mitigation of potential penalties.

Associate Attorney · Pacific Coast Legal Associates

San Francisco, CA · 2012 - 2014

• Assisted senior partners in advising private equity firms on portfolio company governance, including board composition, shareholder agreements, and executive compensation.
• Reviewed and updated corporate policies for 30+ private companies to align with emerging governance standards and regulatory requirements.
• Conducted legal research and prepared memos on securities regulations, M&A deal structures, and corporate law matters, supporting complex transactions.

Juris Doctor (JD) · University of California, Berkeley, School of Law

Berkeley, CA · 2009 - 2012

• GPA: 3.8/4.0
• Order of the Coif
• Senior Editor, California Law Review

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Economics · University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Los Angeles, CA · 2005 - 2009

• Summa Cum Laude
• Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

Senior Corporate Counsel, Corporate Governance · Apex Innovations Inc.

San Francisco, CA · 2021 - Present

• Advise the Board of Directors and senior management of a publicly traded tech company with $5B+ revenue on complex corporate governance, securities law, and ESG matters, directly impacting investor relations and stakeholder confidence.
• Managed SEC reporting and compliance for Form 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K filings and proxy statements, achieving a 100% on-time submission rate for all required disclosures.
• Led the implementation of a new board portal system (Diligent Boards), increasing board efficiency by 25% through streamlined document access and communication.
• Supported M&A transactions totaling over $3 billion in value by conducting governance due diligence and advising on integration strategies for newly acquired entities.
• Developed and delivered training programs on insider trading policies and regulatory updates to over 500 employees annually, reducing compliance breaches by 15%.

Corporate Governance Counsel · Sterling & Stone LLP

San Francisco, CA · 2017 - 2021

• Provided comprehensive corporate governance counsel to a diverse portfolio of 20+ public and private company clients across various industries, enhancing their compliance frameworks.
• Drafted and reviewed critical governance documents including board committee charters, corporate bylaws, and ethics policies, ensuring adherence to evolving legal standards.
• Successfully guided 8+ clients through annual proxy season preparations, including drafting proxy statements, managing shareholder proposals, and engaging with proxy advisory firms (ISS, Glass Lewis).
• Advised on board composition, director independence, executive compensation disclosure, and fiduciary duties, contributing to a 10% improvement in board evaluation scores for key clients.
• Conducted internal investigations and advised clients on potential legal and reputational risks, resolving 90% of identified issues without litigation.

Litigation Associate · Grant & Smith LLP

Los Angeles, CA · 2014 - 2017

• Managed all phases of complex commercial litigation for corporate clients, including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and settlement negotiations.
• Authored over 100 legal briefs, motions, and memoranda, resulting in favorable outcomes for clients in 85% of cases I was primary on.
• Conducted in-depth legal research and analysis across diverse areas of law, including contract disputes, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
• Prepared clients and key witnesses for depositions and trial testimony, contributing to the successful resolution of 5 multi-million dollar disputes.
• Collaborated with senior partners to develop effective litigation strategies, reducing average case resolution time by 20%.

Juris Doctor (JD) · University of California, Berkeley, School of Law

Berkeley, CA · 2011 - 2014

• Honors: Order of the Coif
• GPA: 3.8/4.0
• Activities: Senior Editor, California Law Review

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science · University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · 2007 - 2011

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude
• Minor in Economics
• Awards: Dean's List all semesters