Andrew Etkind

Responsible for managing the legal and compliance functions of $3B enterprise. Providing support to executive leadership and holding various board positions.

Providing assessments and innovative solutions to a variety of legal and risk management issues including litigation management and avoidance, outside counsel management, mediation/conflict resolution, contract negotiations and management, franchising matters, ethics/compliance investigations, employment issues, project management and legal operations for clients.

Direct responsibility for legal, contracting, litigation, claims handling, dispute resolution, regulatory matters, human resources and insurance affairs, aimed at risk mitigation of a global manufacturing and distribution company with distinct business units consisting of aerospace, gas distribution, medical, heating and engineered building products. This included providing daily advice to the management team, as well as the successful establishment and ongoing management of the company’s contracting processes, and defense to a variety of nationwide litigation including product liability and purported class actions.

•Provided legal and business counsel to the Board of Directors, all levels of executive and departmental management, affiliated organizations, as well as executive management of parent company in Japan •Established and managed a legal department to provide for timely and cost effective delivery of legal services including standardization of contract forms, training, litigation management, early evaluation and dispute resolution programs all of which significantly reduced legal expenses •Provided direction and support to management on dealer and other distribution related matters •Successfully negotiated, prepared and managed various contractual relationships •Directed corporate transactions, acquisitions and corporate governance •Counseled management on employment issues including reductions in workforce. Act as Chief negotiator for collective bargaining contracts and grievances

Risk Management/Insurance Compliance/Litigation Management •Established procedures to handle product liability claims and subrogation matters •Successfully managed premises and product liability litigation including retention of counsel and creation of litigation evaluation and management procedures •Consulted with executive management to establish operational guidelines for general liability and workers’ compensation program management •Established and supervised Insurance Compliance section to support operations •Analyzed loss history and provided advice on risk transfer and financing alternatives •Drafted and negotiated vendor hold harmless and indemnifications and created insurance program for at risk vendors and installers •Acted as liaison for various governmental agencies such as U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

•Direct and document various corporate and real estate transactions: real estate development matters, acquisition contracts, real estate and loan closings, leases, architectural, engineer and general contractor contracts, employment, marketing and management contract, advertising and promotional review for compliance, and State and Federal regulated real estate filings •Supervise outside legal counsel and provide direct input to and support Executive Committee for assigned division •Assist in lobbying efforts for State and Federal legislation