John J. Ford
2121 North California Boulevard
Suite 290
Walnut Creek, California 94596
john at johnjford dot com
925.942.9000 voice
510.217.3722 fax
Professional Experience
IGL Group, Inc.
Walnut Creek, California
May, 2000 - Present
Working with a select number of both publicly-traded and privately held technology oriented companies, as well as gaming companies. Typically, working with senior management on a variety of projects, as well as occasionally taking the role of in-house counsel in order to coordinate all legal resources. Particular focus on software licensing, privacy, corporate governance, international jurisdictional issues, as well as providing strategic input. Have worked extensively in play-for-fun and play-for-real land-based and web-based gaming, racing and wagering. Significant international work, primarily in securities and corporate governance. Technology projects include work for online retailers and software developers for ASP's, games, financial transaction processing, survivability, scaling object services architectures and agent technology.
Ladbroke/USA
April, 1993 - March, 2000
Richmond, California
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Corporate Secretary
and Board of Directors Member.
Managed
all aspects of all legal matters for North America holding company
of multi-national leisure industry leader, Hilton Group, PLC, a
London based FTSE 100 company. North America operations employed
over 3,000 employees at twelve locations in California, Colorado
and Pennsylvania, as well as the Province of Ontario, Canada.
Responsible
for in-house legal department and management of outside counsel.
Handled all corporate transactions working with President, as well
as all on-going corporate counseling matters, including contract
negotiation, acquisitions, real estate, SEC matters, employee matters,
litigation management. Significant involvement in development of
technology oriented business initiatives. Primary responsibility
for State and Federal legislative matters impacting interactive
operations.
Eckert
Seamans Cherin & Mellott, Attorneys at Law
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Partner, 1988 - 1993, Associate, 1980 - 1988.
Corporate
Department partner in 200+ attorney East Coast firm engaged in wide
range of corporate matters, including joint ventures, partnerships,
asset based financing, real estate development, land use and corporate
governance. Clients included private and publicly held companies,
local, national and international companies, as well as individuals,
partnerships and joint ventures. Early work included litigation
experience.
Education
Villanova
University School of Law
Villanova, Pennsylvania
Juris Doctor Degree, 1980, cum laude, Class Standing: Top
15%
Associate Editor, Villanova Law Review.
Chairman, Villanova Honor Board (administers Code of Conduct).
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
Bachelor of Arts Degree, 1977, Economics, cum laude.
Representative
Matters
Technology
-Primary
counsel for publicly-traded software developer and application service
provider, involved in all aspects of technology oriented matters.
-Primary responsibility for negotiation and closing on web-based
business alliance.
-Ongoing responsibility for U.S. internet issues for business alliance.
-Primary responsibility for state and federal legislative efforts
of internet-based business initiative to avoid excessive regulatory
oversight.
-Successfully resolved IP dispute following start-up of software
research and development company.
Gaming
and Compliance
-Managed
acquisition of publicly traded casino company, including M&A,
licensing and all regulatory matters
-Engaged in managing Federal and State legislative initiatives for
gaming matters for publicly-traded and private interests.
-Created joint venture for acquisition of Canadian gaming facility
between Canadian, American and Israeli companies.
-Assisted in structure, compliance and deployment of first online
pari-mutuel wagering operation in North America.
-Created and managed Compliance program for North American gaming
company, for compliance with Nevada and Great Britain gaming authorities.
-Assisted in licensing, construction and opening of new gaming facility
in California, United States.
-Assisted in licensing, construction and opening of a series of
off-track betting facilities in Pennsylvania, United States.
Mergers
and Acquisitions
-Primary responsibility for international company's acquisition
of publicly traded company. Work included negotiation of stock purchase
agreement, employee transition issues, environmental, regulatory
and licensing matters.
-Conceived, designed and implemented strategic re-domiciling of
a publicly-traded company from North American jurisdiction to European
jurisdiction.
-Primary responsibility for structuring, negotiating and closing,
both as in-house counsel and primary business contact, tax-free
1031 exchange involving six commercial properties and 142 acre waterfront
commercial development.
Joint
Ventures and Partnerships
-Negotiated
and closed investment in foreign corporation of minority equity
interest and management agreement with international shareholders.
Work included due diligence investigations, shareholders agreement,
regulatory matters and asset based financing.
-Primary counsel for partner in Florida land development joint venture
for several large tracts aggregating over 1,000 acres. Negotiated
joint venture agreement and purchase/infrastructure development
financing.
Real
Estate Development
-Primary counsel and Board member for developer of mixed-use commercial
real estate project in urban location, including creation of joint
ventures, partnerships and long-term ground leases. Work included
regulatory land use approvals and secured and unsecured financing.
-Represented owner/developer of office incubator in real estate
development, including access and parking cross-easement arrangements,
air rights ownership and transfers, and construction contracts.
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