TARGET: ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSFORMATION LEADERSHIP
SENIOR OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE: MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES
LEGAL COUNSEL / ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & INSTITUTIONALIZATION
Thought Leader & Critical Solutions Provider able to Effect Change at the Highest Strategic Level
Business Acumen & Political Intelligence to Ease Market Entry
Broad Legal (Commercial Law & Litigation) & Business Experience
Multi-lingual Legal Counsel & Change Facilitator with Diplomatic Background
Globally oriented & Mobile
Possess high sense of geo-political, economic, cultural, social and religious awareness to set political, legal and regulatory strategy and advance global initiatives
Areas of Expertise:
* Strategic Communications
* Investment Assistance
* Transaction Negotiation
* M&A / Divestiture Opportunities
* Due Diligence
* Business Development
* Dispute Avoidance & Resolution * Multi-cultural & Sophisticated Worldview having lived among and worked with Arabs and Islamic cultures in the Middle East, Asia Minor and the Caucasus.
Fluent in English, Arabic, Armenian and French; proficient in Turkish * Recent high profile international experience marked by fluid ability to address resistance and effect disruptive innovation in helping troubled nation and failed state reconstruct, rebuild and develop new government institutions to make them more compatible with the visionary paradigm shift toward a democratic form of governance and the attendant virtues of a free market economy.
* Strong business acumen with thorough grasp of free market economy mechanics across multiple nations and business organizations. Focused understanding of investment, profit and growth mechanisms and institutions for securing the free flow of goods and capital.
* Change agent and catalytic problem solver with a pronounced comprehension of cultural and motivational differences in international settings. Able to manage change in difficult situations and diffuse differences. Outstanding understanding of legal and business issues, processes and associated gaps with the ability to translate into high-powered solutions.
FREE WORLD / FREE MARKET ECONOMY CONSULTING
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, IRAQ
IRAQ - April 2008 to September 2009
Joint, multi-billion-dollar national reconstruction initiative between U.S. Government (USG), inter-agency, donor and Government of Iraq (GOI) stakeholders.
Senior Advisor – Legislative Strengthening & Rule of Law Unit (May to September 2009)
United States Embassy Office of Constitutional & Legislative Affairs, Baghdad, Iraq
Enterprise challenge: Function as constitutional, rule of law and legal subject-matter expert charged with managing provision of organization and capacity development advice and assistance in the coordination of democratization, governance and legislative efforts to assist GOI. Instill and institutionalize democratic and constitutionally compatible philosophies, values, principles and legislative methodologies across executive branch of GOI.
Effective & Efficient Organizational Structure, Process & System Development * Strategic Planning * Top-tier Relationship Management * Cross-functional & Multi-entity Leadership
* Institutionalized application of rule of law to reinforce Iraq’s national security foundation. Led efforts to strengthen institutional capacity of GOI to more effectively meet the needs of the Iraqi people.
* Ensured effective coordination and stewardship of U.S. Mission’s overall national capacity development objectives in legal, legislative and statecraft efforts. Facilitated interactions among and between USG, inter-agency, donor and GOI stakeholders, drawing upon multi-lingual abilities, multi-cultural knowledge and diplomatic skills.
* Formalized procedures and processes working with Presidential and Ministerial Chief Legal Advisors. Assisted in drafting and implementing policy and legislation to build capacity and institutionalize principles of checks and balances for a more equitable distribution of power between all national branches of GOI, their provincial counterparts and the semi-autonomous, regional government of Kurdistan.
* Led a variety of research, coordination, planning and organizational support efforts within GOI’s executive and legislative branches as per U.S. policy.
* Provided critical training and advice to GOI lawmakers on substantive legal/policy issues, as well as legislative process management and legislative drafting, research and analysis. Analyzed and identified priorities for improving current legislative processes that negatively impact legislative stream; created effective organizational structures, systems and processes to improve GOI law-making. Analyzed draft legislation to ensure compatibility with provisions mandated by Iraq’s Constitution.
* Delivered reports and presentations for U.S. State Department and inter-agency groups; provided regular status updates and advice on activities to ensure GOI program synergies and an integrated approach.
Section Head / Senior Advisor – Rule of Law Section - November 2008 to April 2009
Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Ramadi, Anbar Province, Iraq
Macro challenge: Oversee and coordinate all Anbar Province (Iraq’s largest and most volatile) Rule of Law projects and initiatives designed to reform entire legal and judicial system to reflect democratic ideals and constitutional principles of due process and human rights.
Organizational Development, Large-scale Project Management, Multi-disciplinary Team Leadership
* Promoted to role by PRT Leader to lead, guide and coordinate 10 civilian Federal legal advisors, U.S. Marine Corps Rule of Law Staff Judge Advocates (i.e., officers at the Colonel and Lt. Colonel ranks) and legal contractors and 3 other sub-provincial embedded PRT Rule of Law units comprising Anbar Province Rule of Law team.
* Introduced culture of transparency and accountability to defeat corruption and abuse of power in government, instill human rights attitude in 30,000-man police force and institutionalize rule of law concepts, principles and methodologies throughout Iraq’s Criminal Justice System.
* Spearheaded capacity building of Criminal Justice system and reduction of judicial and police corruption, violence and prisoner abuse. Oversaw construction, development and provision of Judicial Complexes, prisons, legal aid centers, law libraries and forensic labs. Interacted with Marine Commanders to manage level and magnitude of insurgent/terrorist activities and determine latter’s impact, influence and penetration of criminal justice institutions. Participated in Marine intelligence weekly briefings to track terrorist activities. Analyzed data and intelligence to ensure prosecution of terrorists despite tribal pressure and/or judicial or police corruption or intimidation.
* Created, developed and launched first-ever TV anti-corruption and legal rights public awareness campaign, an 80-episode mini-series program for universal consumption later adopted and replicated nationwide.
Recognition
* Awarded U.S. Embassy “Certificate of Appreciation” for commitment and dedication to service.
Senior Legal Advisor – Rule of Law Unit - April 2008 to November 2008
Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Ramadi, Anbar Province, Iraq
Initial Mission: Promote national security and rule of law initiatives functioning as a prime liaison in building relationships among and between Iraqi Provincial Chief Justice, Provincial Director of Police, Directors General of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior; United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq; International Police Advisors (IPA); Law Enforcement Professional Staff of the U.S. Military; Police Training Teams; Staff Judge Advocates; and, Department of State and Department of Justice Rule of Law Advisors and coordinators comprising PRT’s legal unit.
Legal & Judicial Systems Reform, Capacity Building & Training Program Development
Establishing Rule of Law Concepts & Practices in Conflict / Post-Conflict Environments
* Reviewed existing programs and institutions as a predicate to develop and implement new initiatives.
* Worked at the provincial level to minimize corruption in legal and governmental institutions. Developed police leadership and rank and file training programs in due process and respect for civil and human rights designed to curtail rampant and pervasive abuse of power and criminal activity in police ranks.
* Championed judicial independence, professional development and adherence to legal ethics. Advised and assisted development of mentoring and training initiatives. Worked to establish strong, non-politicized, province-wide legal and judicial professional associations. Collaborated with law schools and government institutions to improve substantive knowledge and organizational skills of legal professionals. Advised and mentored Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches to promote rule of law. Promoted development of provincial code of ethics.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, IRAQ
BAGHDAD, Iraq - April 2003 to July 2003
Selected to serve as Assistant to the Coalition Provisional Authority’s (CPA) Acting Minister of Justice and Senior Advisor as a member of an elite team of professionals contracted to join U.S Government teams in restoring law and order in Iraq.
Attorney / Linguist
Assistant to the U.S. Senior Advisor & Acting Minister of Justice
Primary challenge: Contribute to achievement of Ministry of Justice’s mission of instituting rule of law in Iraq by intervening to overcome potential roadblocks to success such as language barriers; cultural diversity; religious philosophies/practices; national, sectarian and tribal allegiances; political orientation; indigenous values; conflicting agendas and personalities; and, reluctance to change.
Establishment of Rule of Law, Highly Complex Legal Analysis, Penal Code Revision
* Screened, interviewed, hired and managed 30 Iraqi lawyers and translators to process Ministry affairs. Prepared legal opinions, briefs, reports and legal correspondence while performing legal analysis on highly complex legal issues. Directly participated in establishment of rule of law and revision of Iraqi Penal Code of 1969.
* Supervised Arabic to English translation of large volumes of Iraqi laws, legal documents, sensitive decision-support information and highly secret former regime documents captured and delivered to DOJ. Outlined preliminary plans for provision of ongoing bilingual legal assistance to other Iraqi ministries and CPA agencies.
* Handpicked, trained and led team of Iraqi lawyers, PhD/Iraqi newspaper publisher and translators in developing and delivering seminars to CPA, military and law enforcement personnel on mission-critical topics: sensitivity to Iraqi customs/traditions, behavioral modification to contain violence, winning popular support, etc.
Distinctions & Recognitions
* Participated in U.S. Justice Department OPDAT investigation. Assessed judicial and law enforcement organizations and personnel throughout Iraq. Interviewed and debriefed Iraqi judges, prosecutors and lawyers to identify involvement in bribery and corruption and collect evidence for potential prosecution. Oversaw equipping and designating teams of translators and Iraqi lawyers to OPDAT teams of assessors deployed country wide.
* Excellence Award: In recognition for providing advisory and training services on matters related to cultural and religious diversity, law enforcement tactics and situational behavior by law enforcement personnel in foreign county and wartime situation (504th U.S. Military Police Battalion, Baghdad, Iraq).
* Excellence Award: Conferred for delivering oral presentation of Iraq/Islamic political, cultural and religious perspectives to large military and civilian intelligence audience (Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts).
PRIVATE LAW PRACTICE
Private Law Office, Boston, Massachusetts - 1985 to Present
Well-established firm specializing in Business & Contract Law, Tax Compliance & Defense and Tort & General Litigation.
Attorney / Counselor at Law
Civil / Criminal Tax Fraud & Evasion Defense ~ Unfair & Deceptive Business Practices
Overview: Lead business development, direct office operations, plan and allocate operating budget, analyze monthly financial statements, decide all business and financial matters for firm and oversee case management activities of firm’s 4 other attorneys. Manage personal caseload of high-profile, private company clients and complex cases. Build and manage client relationships; personally represent firm to business and legal communities.
Arbitration, Mediation, Negotiation * Commercial & Tax Law Expertise * Complex Dispute Resolution
* Manage civil and criminal defense and negotiation of financial crimes involving individual and corporate income tax, corporate payroll withholding tax and sales tax fraud issues at courts and U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service administrative hearings. Attend hearings and trials as client advocate.
* Combined expertise in commercial law with expertise in tax law to develop comprehensive and innovative solutions and strategies to achieve client’s business goals, while minimizing and deferring resulting tax consequences. Represent clients in civil and criminal tax/financial controversies, tax analysis and compliance.
* Investigate, litigate and negotiate/mediate a variety of civil cases, breaches of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair and deceptive business practices and bad faith insurance settlement practices.
* Structured, negotiated and consummated corporate acquisitions and divestitures for closely held corporations doing business in commercial and residential real estate, healthcare services, hospitality, fuel distribution, high tech, construction, brokerage, transportation and professional services sectors.
* Serve as special tax counsel to other law practices and public accounting firms.
EARLY CAREER
SMITH, LEVENSON & SMITH, Attorneys at Law, Boston, Massachusetts - 1983 to 1984
Negotiated high volume of debt collections from domestic and international corporate businesses using linguistic abilities to accelerate process.
EDUCATION
LL.M. / Master of Laws (1985)
Boston University School of Law – Boston, MA
Tax Law
Juris Doctor (1983)
Northeastern University School of Law – Boston, MA
Law
Master of Science (1977)
Northeastern University Graduate School of Criminal Justice – Boston, MA
Criminal Justice (Thesis: Global Terrorism)
Bachelor of Arts (1973)
University of Massachusetts – Amherst & Boston, MA
Double Majors in Politics & French Studies
FOREIGN SERVICE & NATIONAL SECURITY LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Center for National Security Law
University of Virginia School of Law – Charlottesville
18th National Security Law Institute (May-June 2010)
Certificate: National Security Law
Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies
National Defense University – Washington, DC
Senior Executive Seminar (March-April 2010)
Certificate: National Security Affairs
Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State (April, 2008)
Certificates:
* Iraq Provincial Reconstruction Team Orientation
* Cybersecurity Awareness
* Foreign Affairs Counter Threat
* FACT Area Studies - Iraq
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
* American Association for Justice
* Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
* International Network to Promote the Rule of Law
* Association for the Study of Middle East & Africa
* The Academy of Political Science |
