Rachael Stafford
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Dynamic general counsel with expertise in corporate law, governance, compliance, and intellectual property strategy. Proven track record in leading compliance programs and negotiating high-value agreements that drive revenue and enhance organizational integrity. Skilled in delivering strategic legal counsel to executive teams while effectively managing risk and compliance initiatives.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Executive & General Counsel
USA Volleyball
Colorado Springs, CO
07.2017 - Current
- Acted as the sole legal advisor to the CEO, executive team, and board on governance compliance and risk management.
- Served as corporate secretary for USA Volleyball and USA Volleyball Foundation, ensuring compliance with governance standards.
- Instrumental in establishing U.S. Center for SafeSport and implementing comprehensive compliance program across all 40 regions.
- Drafted policies, trained staff, and oversaw incident response for SafeSport compliance initiative.
- Negotiated sponsorship, licensing, and media rights agreements with international corporate partners, significantly increasing revenue.
- Directed intellectual property strategy, managing international portfolio and securing critical trademarks and copyrights to protect organizational assets.
- Prepared briefing documents and testified before House oversight committees regarding SafeSport investigations.
- Executed strategic overhaul of legal policies, significantly reducing risk exposure and minimizing outside legal expenses.
Senior Director & General Counsel
Rocky Mountain ADA Center
Colorado Springs, CO
02.2014 - 07.2017
- Led a team of 20 attorneys and compliance implementers to deliver ADA content effectively, ensuring comprehensive compliance across diverse sectors.
- Managed impact litigation and policy initiatives that drove statewide accessibility improvements.
- Secured and managed $1.2 million in federal grants to support regional ADA assistance programs, increasing funding for accessibility initiatives.
- Collaborated with Department of Justice on enforcement strategies for high-profile accessibility disputes under Project Civic Access.
- Advocated for ADA compliance and provided technical assistance to individuals, public entities, and businesses across six states, enhancing accessibility awareness.
- Formed inaugural working committees with United States Olympic and Paralympic Center to enhance collaboration for para-athlete advocacy.
- Designed and delivered over 50 training workshops and webinars, boosting stakeholder engagement by 40%.
- Created first-ever theme park industry collaboration to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Sports/Entertainment Attorney
Rachael Stafford, Esq.
Las Vegas, NV
01.2007 - 02.2014
- Managed high-profile entertainment and sports clients with tailored strategies.
- Counseled gaming, hospitality, sports, and entertainment clients on licensing rights and compliance issues.
- Negotiated joint ventures, licensing agreements, and commercial contracts to safeguard client interests.
- Created and negotiated elements of record-setting South Korean broadcasting golf instructional program on SBS Golf Channel.
- Supervised portfolio of licensing and royalties agreements for national footwear company across NCAA Divisions I and II, ensuring compliance and maximizing revenue.
- Formulated media engagement strategies and crafted crisis communication responses to protect client reputation and manage public perception.
- Managed broad litigation file while representing clients in litigation, mediations, and arbitrations.
- Developed corporate governance frameworks, including bylaws, resolutions, and SEC filings.
Attorney and Law Clerk
Moran and Associates
Las Vegas, NV
04.2002 - 12.2006
- Provided comprehensive legal representation for high-profile clients in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, enhancing client trust and satisfaction.
- Researched and drafted pleadings, motions, and briefs for civil and criminal litigation.
- Managed discovery by drafting interrogatory responses and organizing document reviews to ensure thorough case preparation.
- Supported trial preparation by coordinating exhibits, witness affidavits, and expert witnesses, contributing to a well-organized trial process.
- Assisted in client consultations by preparing legal analyses and strategy memoranda.
- Maintained case files, calendared deadlines, and communicated with courts and opposing counsel.
- Testified before city council and town boards regarding licensing, zoning laws, and public safety initiatives.
Education
Juris Doctor -
California Western School of Law
01-2002
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, Philosophy Minor
Colorado State University
01-1999
Skills
- Contract negotiation
- Licensing strategy
- IP management
- Litigation strategy
- Risk assessment
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Executive communication
- Stakeholder management
Affiliations
- Sports Lawyers Association, Member
- Association of Chief Executives for Sport (ACES), Member
Presentations And Conferences
- Featured Panelist, Sports and Entertainment Law Society, California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA, 2019 and 2022
- Keynote Speaker, Winnipeg Conference on Disability Rights, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, 2016
- Invited Guest, President Obama’s 25th Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Washington, DC, 2015
- Speaker, Americans with Disabilities Act Symposium, 2014–2017
Timeline
Senior Executive & General Counsel
USA Volleyball
07.2017 - Current
Senior Director & General Counsel
Rocky Mountain ADA Center
02.2014 - 07.2017
Sports/Entertainment Attorney
Rachael Stafford, Esq.
01.2007 - 02.2014
Attorney and Law Clerk
Moran and Associates
04.2002 - 12.2006
Juris Doctor -
California Western School of Law
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, Philosophy Minor
Colorado State University