Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Interests
Timeline
Community Service
Awards
Generic

LAURA JONES

Kilmarnock,Virginia

Summary

Versatile corporate/commercial generalist with in-house and large firm experience advising large, midmarket, start-up and public sector enterprises. Expert negotiator. Skilled at negotiating for sellers of complex technology solutions. Solutions-oriented counsel on compliance and formation, go-to-market strategy, professional consulting and design services, procurement, real estate, local compliance issues, strategic negotiations, and commercial legal support. An entrepreneurial collegial leader known for authenticity, actionable advice, sense of humor, energy, drive, pragmatic problem-solving approach, high EQ, and strong client relationships.

Accomplished [Job Title] with progressive industry background and decisive leadership style. Offers strategic planning abilities, background in change management and forward-thinking mindset. Ready for challenges and focused on meeting future demands.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Interim Executive Director (Volunteer Position)

The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre
10.2024 - Current
  • Tapped to serve based on board and professional experience, leading this mission-driven non-profit theater company devoted to performing Poe’s works through radio dramas, live performances and educational programs, in the vibrant Baltimore arts scene. Responsible for business operations, partnerships, fundraising, establishing processes, coordinating events, volunteers and outreach.

Vice President, Deputy GC, Global Solutions & Commercial Law

Avaya LLC
01.2008 - 09.2024
  • Hands-on commercial counsel managing a 25-member global legal team supporting all aspects of commercial and product law, sales (commercial and public sector), commercial compliance (cloud/telecom regulations, global trade legal operations, artificial intelligence, and data privacy office), regional labor and HR issues, for multinational technology company providing cloud communications and workstream collaboration services. Both a working team member, a coach and a leader on risk profile, risk mitigation strategies, and structure of complex deals to manage risks and support business objectives.
  • Strong alliance with sales teams to close complex technology transactions
  • Structured and closed complex sales and procurement transactions and developed training and best practices for complex deals
  • Held Top Secret security clearance with SCI and CI polygraph in support of Federal contracts
  • Collaborated with product managers and tax to assure regulatory/tax compliance (federal, state and international UK, Australia, India, Singapore, Germany, France) including telecom licensing, STIR-Shaken compliance for Avaya cloud offers
  • Developed product lawyer role and coached lawyers to improve NPI processes, adding compliance check gates that aligned regulatory compliance with Avaya’s risk profile and ethical business practices
  • Sponsored a cross-functional team creating and implementing a comprehensive AI governance and ethical use program, leading to better compliance and awareness throughout the business. Influenced executive leaders to support the initiative
  • Guided the global commercial team through seismic changes including bankruptcy, recruiting and retaining key talent and improving global team collaboration through transparent communication, clear vision, and focus on talent development
  • Drove cultural change in the law department from risk minimization to risk-balanced business acceleration, empowering the team and improving negotiation cycle time and business results

VP & Deputy GC, Commercial

Broadwing Communications/Corvis Corporation
01.2001 - 06.2007
  • Fiber optic equipment manufacturer and CLEC. Legal support for commercial and procurement transactions.

Associate - Technology Transactions Practice

Mayer, Brown
10.1997 - 12.2000
  • Leading edge outsourcing agreements, employment law concerns in outsourcing, support of premier consulting firm including development of legal templates for their projects

Associate General Counsel - Commercial Transactions

I-NET
06.1995 - 09.1997
  • Government contractor selling services and products to public sector and commercial clients

Associate - Corporate and Communications groups

Reed Smith
06.1991 - 08.1991
  • Supported space law transactions and other commercial issues for regulated industries, content providers, tech start-ups

Education

Leadership Fellow -

ACC-NCR Leadership Academy
Washington, DC
01.2018

Juris Doctor - General and Commercial Law

George Mason University School of Law
Arlington, VA

Bachelor of Arts - Government and Philosophy

College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, VA

Skills

  • Community engagement
  • Program management
  • Strategic planning
  • Project management
  • Budgeting and financial management
  • Relationship building
  • Program leadership
  • Stakeholder relations
  • Fundraising
  • Profit and loss statements

Accomplishments

  • Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
  • Achieved [Result] by introducing [Software] for [Type] tasks.
  • Supervised team of [Number] staff members.
  • Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
  • Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
  • Resolved product issue through consumer testing.

Certification

  • Admitted to D.C. Bar, Member # 434925
  • Active Top Secret security clearance with Secure Compartmented Information and a CI polygraph
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional (US), International Association of Privacy Professionals - 2020

Interests

  • Cooking
  • Baking
  • Martial Arts
  • Participating in cultural exchange programs and homestays
  • Avid Reader
  • Mindfulness Practices
  • Animal Care
  • Swimming
  • Volunteering
  • Gardening
  • Volunteering at local animal shelters and rescue organizations
  • Yoga

Timeline

Interim Executive Director (Volunteer Position)

The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre
10.2024 - Current

Vice President, Deputy GC, Global Solutions & Commercial Law

Avaya LLC
01.2008 - 09.2024

VP & Deputy GC, Commercial

Broadwing Communications/Corvis Corporation
01.2001 - 06.2007

Associate - Technology Transactions Practice

Mayer, Brown
10.1997 - 12.2000

Associate General Counsel - Commercial Transactions

I-NET
06.1995 - 09.1997

Associate - Corporate and Communications groups

Reed Smith
06.1991 - 08.1991

Juris Doctor - General and Commercial Law

George Mason University School of Law

Bachelor of Arts - Government and Philosophy

College of William and Mary

Leadership Fellow -

ACC-NCR Leadership Academy

Community Service

  • The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre, Vice President of the Board, Acting Treasurer, Baltimore, MD, 2018-12, Present
  • Association of Corporate Counsel - National Capital Region, 2017-08, 2024-08, Co-Chaired Privacy and Technology Subcommittee, Faculty Recruitment Subcommittee, and Subcommittee on Inclusive Leadership Development, Founding Member of the DEIB Committee and the Leadership Academy volunteer board
  • Nina Cusaneli LLC & Art for a Cause, General Counsel for start-up hybrid profit/non-profit organization, Columbia, MD, 2007-07, 2008-07

Awards

Elected to membership in Lawyers of Distinction for In-House Counsel, June 2024, Winner of Aragon Women in Technology Awards for Legal, December 2023, Team Finalist, Lexology Global Counsel Awards, Regulatory, June 2019, Law Review Board of Editors and Business Editor – George Mason Law Review

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