David Strauss

Global legal, risk and public affairs executive for The Weather Company, a PE-backed leader in consumer and enterprise weather solutions, including The Weather Channel® brand. Lead a 10-person legal department (five attorneys) and partner closely with the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board to enable confident decision-making in a fast-evolving business. Own corporate governance and Board management, complex transactions and M&A, privacy, data and AI governance, regulatory compliance, litigation, employment and HR matters, marketing and advertising, government contracting, export controls, sanctions, AML, and anti-corruption compliance, as well as significant trademark and patent portfolios. Known for operating with urgency and strong commercial judgment, I redesigned legal workflows and resourcing to materially improve speed, risk calibration, and business responsiveness while delivering ~$400K in average annual cost savings. Beyond core legal responsibilities, I built and lead TWC's public affairs function and manage the global insurance program, further integrating legal, compliance, and risk management into the company’s strategic and operating model.

C-suite risk management executive (legal, compliance, insurance) for PE-backed, iconic, 113-year old, floral and gift e-commerce and SaaS company with 600+ employees and a network of 8000+ member florists. Head of corporate facilities and real estate. Business development leader for M&A and strategic partnerships. Transformed risk function into nimble, better calibrated resource for fast-evolving business by reimagining legal and contracts processes and enhancing responsiveness and sensitivity to business needs and goals. Delivered $300K in annual savings by more effectively managing both Legal and Facilities departmental spend. Board Member of Interflora, Inc., a tri-party consortium managing a global flower delivery network of 50,000+ member flower shops in over 100 countries.

Chief legal officer providing legal, compliance and HR guidance, as well as establishing and implementing organizational policies and best practices for this venture-backed, software (SaaS) and analytics company transforming the employment ecosystem for underserved job seekers and workforce development stakeholders. Enterprise leader supporting nationwide business expansion through strategic counsel, fundraising, partnerships, and sales/marketing initiatives.

Responsible for global legal affairs, compliance, insurance, and public affairs for this middle market, PE-backed information and software (SaaS) solutions company with 1000+ employees and clients in 40 countries. Grew legal department to a team of 7 (from 3), established a regulatory compliance function, and revamped both the insurance and public affairs capabilities. Led the company through sponsor liquidity event, supporting due diligence and negotiation of definitive documents. Legal point person for 6 acquisitions. Architected gold-standard data governance program and greatly enhanced company's privacy processes and positioning. [Acquired by Equifax]

Chief legal officer for Experian's Marketing and Automotive business units, with revenue in excess of $300 million. Chief Intellectual Property Counsel for Experian in North America, devising a global IP program and growing Experian's patent portfolio from 10 to more than 150 issued patents and from 30 to 160 applications. Structured, negotiated, and documented numerous business acquisitions and divestitures totaling in excess of $2 billion. Supported Experian's public offering on the London Stock Exchange.

Oversaw the legal function for this publicly-traded (NYSE), print, information management, and consumer office and paper product company with 8,000 employees and $1.7 billion in revenue. Managed SEC reporting/filings and general securities work. Created and implemented corporate compliance policies and programs including record and data retention, privacy, antitrust, and intellectual property. [Acquired by RR Donnelley]

Trial attorney, managing cases involving commercial disputes, product liability, personal injury, real estate, employment, medical malpractice, municipal, and criminal matters. Associate 1993 - 1998. Partner 1999.

Developed and implemented client public relations and marketing programs, new business presentations, press releases, media lists, and client activity reports for agency’s consumer products accounts.