Operations Executive and In-House Counsel

JAMES S. BAKERSFIELD
 1446 Riverside Drive  ·  St. Louis, MO 63129
314-555-2055 (Res.)  · 314-555-3378 (Cell)  ·  jsb2442@hotmail.com


 General Management Executive & In-House Legal Counsel with a unique blend of expertise leading global business operations and corporate legal affairs.  A skilled negotiator and deal-maker successful at capturing cost reductions, facilitating smooth-running operations and ensuring the achievement of long-term growth objectives.  Able to translate business development models into specific growth strategies to improve revenues and bottom-line profits, while counseling management on legal issues affecting business transactions and coordinating with outside counsel. 

Core Operating and General Management Strengths:

· Global Business Forecasting & Strategic Planning

· Product Commercialization & Expansion Strategies

· P&L Management, ROI & Pricing Strategies

· International Market Planning & Penetration

· Capital Investment Planning & Financial Modeling

· Corporate Restructuring & Performance Enhancement

· Global Joint Ventures & Strategic Partnerships        

· High-Growth Business Development & Management

· IPO Preparation & Corporate Financing Transactions

· Expense Planning/Control & Margin Improvement

 

 

 

 

Core Commercial and Regulatory Law Strengths:

· Major Contracts, Leases & Business Transactions

·  Risk Mitigation/Management & Corporate Insurance

· International Employment & Labor Law

·  Executive Compensation & Stock Incentive Plans

· Intellectual Property & Patent Portfolio Management

·  Joint Ventures & Strategic Alliance Agreements

· Distribution & Licensing Transaction Agreements

·  Securities Regulations & Equity/Debt Financing

· Corporate Governance & Regulatory Reporting

·  International Trade, Mediation & Conflict Resolution

 

 


 

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MICRO-ELECTRONICS CORP., St. Louis, MO

2005 to Present

Executive Vice President & Legal Affairs Officer
Recruited to this $153 million global manufacturer of telecommunication components with accountability for a broad range of business and legal functions.  Provide operational leadership, direct capital creation efforts, identify business opportunities and spearhead strategic global expansion and growth plans.  Negotiate distribution/licensing transactions, establish joint ventures/strategic alliances with Tier 1 suppliers, and interface with private and institutional investors, stockholders, debt-holders and investment bankers.  Manage the patent portfolio and intellectual property strategies.
 

·

 Revised the existing go-to-market sales strategy by transitioning from a 3rd party sales initiative to a direct sales effort, halting a 4-year decline in sales, growing annual revenues from $29 million to $153 million and achieving profitability in 14 months despite a weak balance sheet and a newly formed sales organization.
   
 
  · Obtained $270 million in incremental financing and credit lines, despite facing 4 competitors capped at 10 times Micro’s size and a $18 million negative cash flow over a 4-year period.
   
  · Negotiated supply\purchase agreements with major telecommunications firms such as AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Adelphia, producing booked business in excess of $165 million and allowing for the introduction of the company’s technology throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
   
 
  ·

Formed 7 major joint ventures and strategic alliances worldwide, including a $80 million distribution agreement with a $1.6 billion German telecommunications supplier, generating $42 million in annual sales.
   
  · Established licensing and development agreements with 2 major firms (InQuest Technologies and SBC Communications), while successfully defending a $200+ million patent infringement claim initiated in Belgium.
   
  · Opened 4 branch offices (Canada, Korea, Japan and Germany), establishing Micro as a global telecommunication component supplier, expanding market share by 18% and improving the gross profit margin by 8%.
 
 
 
 
 

 
JAMES S. BAKERSFIELD

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WINDSOR ELECTRONICS, INC., Cleveland, OH

2000 to 2005
Chief Legal Officer & Vice President of Operations (1998 to 2003)
Chief Legal & Administrative Officer (1997 to 1998)
Provided legal guidance and support while serving as general counsel on litigation and dispute resolution matters for this $92 million electronics retail chain with 28 stores in a 7-state area.  Maintained simultaneous responsibility for ensuring the integration of core functions to optimize operating efficiencies and held autonomous leadership of all day-to-day operational matters.  Managed the HR function, ensured proper customer service ADVANCE \r 1/ ADVANCE \r 1satisfaction, spearheaded strategic expansion and store development plans, evaluated potential acquisitions and led all capital creation efforts.
 

·

 Played a pivotal role in growing the company from a family-owned single retail outlet to a sophisticated structure with 28 stores in a 7-state area and an $87.5 million annual revenue increase (from $4.6 million to $92 million).
   
  · Negotiated lease rates at an average of 18% below market for stores ranging from 12,300 sq. ft. to a 32,600 sq. ft. superstore, while cutting average store operating costs $156,000 annually ($4.3 million cumulatively) by outsourcing maintenance services and consolidating insurance coverage under a single blanket policy.
   
 
  · Worked with the founder and raised $85 million in equity and debt securities offerings from private and institutional investors (private equity funds and hedge funds), allowing for the introduction of a new division (Windsor Wireless) that generated $6.9 million (with $310,000 in net profit) within the first year.
   
 
  · Identified a target retailer, negotiated price and terms for the purchase of a 3-store operation, and managed the entire due diligence process .  Oversaw the flawless integration of the new business that generated $14.3 million in combined annual sales and reduced redundant operating costs by approximately $355,000 per annum.
  ·
    Represented the company in 2 wrongful discharge cases, winning a favorable ruling in both cases.  Orchestrated a two-thirds majority vote in an NLRB election covering 437 employees, thereby maintaining non-union status.
 
 

Staff Claims Counsel (1995 to 1998)
 Provided quality legal advice and counsel to the Office of Claims Staff Operations. Managed major legal projects and initiatives, including defense counsel agreements, best practices, audits and discovery.  Directed numerous personal and commercial lines coverage and liability lawsuits, including national class action defense matters.
 

·

 Instituted an attorney fee bill auditing process that reduced counsel fees by $14 million over an 18-month period.
  · Led a restructuring effort of the claims’ department legal organization through consolidation and by implementing best practices and accountability measures.  Effort reduced unallocated expense adjustment by $3.6 million.
   
  · Negotiated settlements or directed the defense to verdicts for more than 50 of the company’s most complex coverage and liability lawsuits, resulting in a $45+ million indemnity reduction.
   
  · Directed legal counsel, negotiated settlements, and managed the defense of 19 class actions, 3 multi-district mass tort suits and numerous construction defect matters.
   
 
WILSON, DOYLE, MORRIS, FOSTER & BRADFORD, P.C., Chicago, IL

1998 to 2000

Associate Attorney
Represented private sector management in the areas of business contracts, dispute resolution, arbitration, mediation and litigation, as well as human resource and labor matters such as employee discipline, termination, compensation/benefits, FLSA, at-will, preventive labor, discrimination, sexual harassment, collective bargaining and family medical leave.
  · Won a Motion to Dismiss against a union’s appeal of an arbitration award based on jurisdictional grounds.
  · Persuaded a fact finder that an employee’s claim of extensive physical ailments did not meet state requirements.
  · Selected as an expert authority and requested to speak about Employee Privacy Rights in the Workplace at the Illinois Bar Association’s 1997 annual convention.
 
 
BARRETT, BARRETT & CLARK, P.C., Chicago, IL

1996 to 1998

Associate Attorney
Represented complainants in legal proceedings before the Illinois Commission Against Discrimination (ICAD).
  ·

Won more than $460,000 in damages for handicapped and disadvantaged employees before the ICAD.
 
O’DONNELL & MASTERSON, P.C., Philadelphia, PA

1995 to 1996

Law Clerk
Researched and drafted legal memoranda addressing state labor law issues and employment discrimination issues.

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EDUCATION

Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (with Honors)  ·  University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
         Admitted to the Illinois, Ohio and Missouri Bars  ·  Former member of Ohio Board of Bar Overseers
Bachelor of Science  ·  Finance  ·  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY  ·  Graduated Magna Cum Laude

 

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