Experience

ACC Europe – Association of Corporate Counsel

• France
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• ACC Europe

  • Sep 2019 - Present

  I am privileged to have been selected to serve as a board member of ACC Europe which promotes the interests of in-house counsel across the region through the sharing of information, education, networking and advocacy while demonstrating innovation and leadership for the benefit of the profession.https://www.acc.com/chapters-networks/chapters/europe



American Chamber of Commerce Ireland

• Ireland
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder & Chairperson of General Counsel Forum in American Chamber of Commerce Ireland

  • Oct 2013 - Oct 2015

  Founder and Chairperson of the GC Forum within American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Ireland which now has over 40 GC members. The GC Forum was established to support best practice and promote ideas that influence and enhance policy within the legal remit of the multinational sector. Its membership is drawn exclusively from General or Lead counsel within US Multinationals and by invitation only. The forum's mission is to provide an independent, peer-led safe space for an open exchange of ideas and challenges by thought leaders in US multinational GCs in Ireland with a route into policy makers and opinion leaders to influence the position of Ireland as the global location of choice for US investment. The GC forum meets in camera to discuss topics of current or long standing relevance to GCs. These discussions are aided by accessing expertise from within the Chamber membership where required.



Raytheon|Websense

• United States
• Software Development
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Sr. Director, Websense International Technology

  • 2009 - 2012

  • Worked with HR, Finance, Tax and Facilities to establish cost-effective, scalable, tax compliant presence internationally – corporate formation & international business expansion e.g. Dubai branch office, Turkish liaison office, Swedish branch office, Independent Contractors. Forcepoint has representation (legal entities or people) in 44 countries with 23 wholly-owned subsidiaries; • Led International legal team and worked with external legal & tax advisors to support Websense’s global entity re-organization by moving IP rights to Bermuda resulting in significant tax savings ($700K in 2011 – vs. – $1.5M in 2010);• Project managed extensive negotiation of business development initiatives including data centre roll-out, co-branding / MSP (Managed Service Provider) program, alternative route to market projects (e.g. distributor cloud portal) to ensure final contract supports interests of all stakeholders (engineering, IT, finance, sales & sales ops, channel, tech support) and reflects a fair and proportionate risk allocation between the parties;• Assumed the chair of International Structures Desk (ISD) in 2014 & enhanced the effectiveness of it as a key tool in co-ordinating cross-functional stakeholders (Accounting, FP&A, Tax, HR, Facilities & Legal) to share information, raise concerns, suggest potential alternative solutions and highlight challenges with potential business developments with Legal, HR, fiscal & operational impacts so that decisions are made consciously and holistically as a calculated risk in the best interests of the Company having considered the risk, cost and benefit and made with speed to support revenue growth;• Protected, enforced and defended Company’s legal rights and obligations in managing potential and actual litigation – e.g. 4 year long multi-jurisdictional (Ireland / Italy) litigation for €3.7M claim for damages for unfair trade practices from a distributor;



Forcepoint

• United States
• Software Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Legal Director, Websense International

  • 2007 - 2009

  • Set up the International legal team from “greenfield” site in Dublin as International HQ to support Websense's business needs in EMEA & APAC for commercial sales & professional services contract negotiation, HR & facilities, data centre roll out, corporate governance and compliance, litigation management and channel and distribution matters;• Partnered with the sales team across EMEA and APAC to support $200M of annual sales revenue - approximately 50% of Forcepoint’s global revenue generation – by successfully managing risk in negotiating contracts to facilitate recognizable revenue;• Partnered with HR & senior management to effect employee lay-offs across EMEA on time and within budget while managing litigation / workers council risk; • Supported International dimension of SurfControl acquisition ($440M) including review of due diligence, transaction & financing documentation, smooth transition / exit of SurfControl employees in 13 EU jurisdictions within budget and timeline, managed post-acquisition integration project to rationalise SurfControl portfolio (entities, distributors / channel partners, lease facilities etc.);• Developed the international legal team operating framework, reputation, and brand by regular attendance at sales kick off and QBR (Quarterly Business Reviews) throughout Europe, developing presentations and interactive workshops to sales teams, developing playbooks, FAQs and “cheat sheets”, constantly reviewing templates and internal processes to ensure relevance, scalability and efficiency, seeking and incorporating feedback from stakeholders; Appointed to the board of Websense International in 2008 and significantly raised the profile of International board meetings leading to stronger corporate governance and better tax fact pattern;



Meteor

• Telecommunications
• 100 - 200 Employee

• General Counsel & Company Secretary

  • Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  As a member of the Senior Management Team in Meteor, I worked with other stakeholders to understand and support their commercial drivers and competitive threats, and provide prompt and pragmatic legal advice in a start-up environment. Responsibilities included negotiation of channel distribution agreements, shop leases, employment matters, end user Ts & Cs and preparation of board packs. This sharpened my skills to be a truly business-oriented General Counsel while also introducing scalable, low-cost, improved practices and template documentation where appropriate.



eir Ireland

• Ireland
• Telecommunications
• 700 & Above Employee

• Legal Counsel

  • 1998 - Dec 2005

  During my time in eircom, I led the Eircom Mergers and Acquisitions legal function to successfully complete significant corporate transactions including :• Meteor Mobile acquisition in 2005 for $540M (funded by largest European rights issue to shareholders);• Initial Public Offering in 2004 raising $360M equity dealing with diverse debt / equity structuring issues, extensive negotiation with underwriters, bondholders and banks, resulting in significantly reduced interest payments;• Project managed Eircom’s exits from various non-core businesses in 2002 - sale to a competitor (Golden Pages), Management Buy Outs, and liquidations, generating $250M proceeds.