Jessica M. Rydel
Glastonbury,Connecticut
Summary
Experienced legal executive with strong background in guiding teams, analyzing legal programs, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, creating and maintaining compliance and risk mitigation programs, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for services at the speed of business, a collaborative approach, and commitment to excellence.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Legal Officer
Goodroot, LLC
Collinsville, CT
04.2019 - Current
- Serve as first attorney of national healthcare service, consulting, and technology organization.
- Responsibilities include daily legal support to Chairman and other senior leadership and various affiliate organizations, including contracting and sales support for service, consulting, SaaS, technology, and other offerings across the organization as well as real estate leases, licenses, fundraising agreements, vendor agreements, BAAs, and various employment and compensation structure agreements.
- Led HIPAA compliance program creation and support of HITRUST and SOC 2 Type 2 audits for affiliate companies.
- Responsible for establishment of OKRs as organization-wide goal setting framework as well as implementation of tracking software and consultant support used to implement same.
- Co-lead M&A team and capital raise team for incubated businesses to successful exits.
- Responsible, with finance team, for organization's annual insurance portfolio management.
- Liaison with outside counsel and manage litigation strategy.
- Management of human resources function through hiring of a Chief People Officer.
- Responsible for Corporate Transparency Act filings, trademark and patent applications and marketing review, internal investigations, ADA compliance, employee training programs, and other risk management activities.
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Meridian Medical Management
Windsor, CT
05.2016 - 03.2019
- First in-house counsel of national medical back-office services and technology organization and served as secretary, reporting in that capacity directly to fund management.
- Negotiated a variety of commercial contracts including consulting, service, SaaS, licensing, real estate, employment, and vendors and consultants.
- Co-led M&A team, served on compliance committee as Chair, performed risk assessments including those related to HIPAA, and implemented compliance strategies to minimize risks.
- Managed human resources and compliance audit and coding teams, performed employee investigations, and created employee whistleblower procedures.
- Responsible with CFO for organization's insurance portfolio and annual renewals and coverage decisions.
- Managed outside counsel and litigation including securing insurance coverage for multi-million-dollar jury award against company.
- Led downsizing of an affiliate, including a plant closure pursuant to WARN Act.
- Created centralized database of material contracts across five affiliates across continental U.S., in preparation for transacting of business.
- Performed investigation into seller of related business as part of earn-out evaluation and assessed potential for litigation.
- Provided training and updates on trends in applicable law.
Director of Contracts
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, CT
05.2011 - 04.2016
- Managed attorneys and other staff in the contracts department of the State of Connecticut's academic medical center and served as counsel for the University of Connecticut Health Center Finance Corporation.
- Managed a team of contract specialists in two unions.
- Performed or supervised complex contract negotiations for purchase and sale of medical equipment and goods, clinical service agreements, real estate and construction agreements, software and intellectual property agreements, federal and private grants, physician practice acquisition agreements, and educational affiliation agreements, amongst others.
- Reviewed hospital operational policies for compliance with law, including the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law, HIPAA and HITECH.
- Served on the executive policy committee and coordinated with internal and external auditors, in response to audit findings.
- Main liaison with the Connecticut Attorney General's office and other health care agencies to manage compliance issues as well as to coordinate management of federal funds.
- Provided institution-wide training and reporting on relevant changes in health care law.
Senior Legal Specialist
United Technologies Corporation
Windsor Locks, CT
06.2009 - 04.2011
- Responsible for negotiation and execution of all a purchase and sale of aerospace goods and services in support of global supply chain organization.
- Served as business ethics liaison for all operations divisions, coordinating risk evaluations and disaster recovery planning and analysis at the behest of UTC's Board of Directors.
- Responsibility for classification, review and approval of exports in accordance with U.S. export laws and regulations (EAR/ITAR).
- Led several task groups responsible for improvement of business processes and development of standard work needed for just-in-time manufacturing, using the Toyota Way.
- Served as legal training coordinator, facilitating and leading legal training sessions for employees across North America.
Contract Manager
Pratt and Whitney
East Hartford, CT
03.2006 - 06.2009
- Drafted and negotiated agreements for the sale of aerospace goods and services and international executive leadership employment agreements.
- Served as co-lead on team withing streamline legal department business processes.
- Tasked with development of new business line, including development of organizational structure, policies and procedures.
Attorney
Doctor's Associates Inc.
Milford, CT
12.2004 - 03.2006
- Counsel for parent corporation and franchisor of Subway restaurants.
- Negotiated domestic and international contracts, including real estate and equipment leases, purchases, financing arrangements, confidentiality, non-competition and intellectual property agreements, marketing contracts, employment agreements, and franchising arrangements.
- Managed international arbitration proceedings in U.S. District Court and foreign jurisdictions.
- Primary liaison with outside counsel, international company agents, and regulatory agencies in order to coordinate entry into new markets in Central America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Led M&A team in acquisitions of other restaurant chains.
- Trained staff on U.S. and international advertising regulations.
- Served as company privacy officer.
Summer Associate
Morrison Mahoney, LLC
Hartford, CT
05.2003 - 05.2004
- Participated in all phases of litigation, including legal research, motion practice, depositions, and oral argument.
Education
J.D. -
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT05.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Art And Biology
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT12.1998
Skills
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Dispute resolution
- Corporate governance
- Litigation management
- Legal analysis
- Corporate law
- Board relations
Timeline
Chief Legal Officer
Goodroot, LLC
04.2019 - Current
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Meridian Medical Management
05.2016 - 03.2019
Director of Contracts
University of Connecticut Health Center
05.2011 - 04.2016
Senior Legal Specialist
United Technologies Corporation
06.2009 - 04.2011
Contract Manager
Pratt and Whitney
03.2006 - 06.2009
Attorney
Doctor's Associates Inc.
12.2004 - 03.2006
Summer Associate
Morrison Mahoney, LLC
05.2003 - 05.2004
J.D. -
University of Connecticut
Bachelor of Arts - Art And Biology
University of Connecticut
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