Chief Executive Officer | Black Bear Diner

Anita Adams assumed the Chief Executive Officer role at Black Bear Diner in January 2020. She joined the company in March 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to President in March 2019. Anita has more than 28 years of experience across private and public companies with broad transaction experience. Prior to joining the company, she was the Chief Financial Officer of American Blue Ribbon Holdings LLC (2009 – 2017) and part of the executive team that grew the business from $400m of revenue to $1.2 billion, managing 5 restaurant brands and a bakery operation. Her experience includes multi-unit & multi-branded organization, merger and acquisition, debt financing and treasury management, restructuring, public accounting, information technology, and board and investor relations.

Prior to American Blue Ribbon Holdings LLC, Anita was the Vice President – Controller of VICORP Restaurants, Inc. from 2006 through March 2009. From April 2001 to October 2006, Anita was employed by First Data Corporation, Inc., a Fortune 200 global financial services company generating over $10 billion in annual revenue, most recently as the Vice President of Corporate Accounting. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and held other Controller positions prior to First Data Corporation. Anita holds an active Certified Public Accountant license in the State of Colorado and was most recently named in Nation’s Restaurant News’ April 2021 50 Most Influential Women in Foodservice.

Executive Director | Restaurant Law Center

Angelo Amador is Executive Director of the Restaurant Law Center. He also serves as Senior Vice President of Legal Advocacy and Regulatory Counsel for the National Restaurant Association.

Amador serves as chief litigation officer for the Association, prioritizing legal matters to be pursued through amicus briefs or first party litigation. He also represents the Association’s interests by advocating before regulatory agencies; testifying at public hearings; drafting and filing regulatory comments; and, when necessary, recommending and managing legal challenges.

Prior to his current role, Amador was vice president of labor and workforce policy. He was  responsible for working with the business community to develop the restaurant industry’s position on labor, health care, immigration, education and other issues affecting the benefits, availability and quality of the workforce. He advocated on behalf of the Association and its members before Congress and the executive branch.

Before joining the National Restaurant Association, Amador served as an executive director in the Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits Division of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, he had responsibility for workforce issues, global migration, and travel/border policy. Previously, he was in private practice and served as law clerk to the Hon. David T. Stitt, judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. Prior to his clerkship, he worked in Washington, D.C., for the governor of Puerto Rico as assistant director/legislative counsel and as staff attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Member of the Firm | Epstein Becker Green P.C.

Employers in a range of industries, including health care, retail, hospitality and insurance, count on Kathleen Barrett to defend them in employment litigation in state and federal courts. Kathleen has represented companies across the country in wage and hour class actions. She also regularly represents companies in cases involving allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or wrongful termination brought by single-plaintiff employees at all levels of a company.

In addition, Kathleen proactively counsels clients to ensure their employment practices comply with current or new workplace laws and regulations. For example, she has guided clients through new workplace issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also offered training and guidance on the legalization of recreational and medical cannabis and its impact on a client’s workplace drug policies, complaint procedures, disciplinary action policies, and accommodations practices.

Before joining Epstein Becker Green, Kathleen worked in medical prosecutions at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. She has published numerous articles and presented on a variety of employment law topics, including the impact of the legalization of cannabis on the workplace, wage and hour compliance, and reasonable accommodations in health care workplaces. She also speaks on developments in wage and hour class action law, managing remote employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fair Labor Standards Act classification, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and cannabis workplace issues.

Office Managing Principal | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Stephanie M. Cerasano is office managing principal of the Phoenix, Arizona, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She has 25 years of experience practicing exclusively in the area of employment law.

A significant portion of her practice involves advising businesses in their day-to-day employment decisions. She also represents employers in federal and state court, as well as before administrative agencies, with particular focus in the areas of disability discrimination, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and wage and hour compliance. She has significant experience in preparing confidentiality and non-competition agreements, employment contracts, and personnel handbooks.

Stephanie frequently serves as a guest speaker for professional groups, giving presentations about a variety of employment-law topics. She has spoken, among numerous other topics, regarding: tips for lawful employment termination, ADA and FMLA issues, and discrimination and harassment. She also speaks regularly regarding technology issues in the workplace, such as employee blogs and protection of confidential employer information.

Director of Legal I Pizza Hut, LLC

Chantel Cheatham joined Pizza Hut as a Director of Legal in October 2020. In her role, Chantel manages litigation and arbitration for Pizza Hut, LLC and Pizza Hut of America, LLC. She also serves as a Secretary for Pizza Hut of America, LLC. Prior to joining Pizza Hut, Chantel was a partner at a Dallas-based law firm. Her practice was focused on management-side employment litigation and related business disputes. She also counseled businesses regarding the application of various state and federal employment laws and workplace investigations.

President & Chief Executive Officer | California Restaurant Association

Jot Condie joined the California Restaurant Association (CRA) in May of 1999 as the association’s vice president of government affairs and public policy, serving as the restaurant industry’s chief lobbyist in California. He was promoted to the position of president + chief executive officer on May 17, 2004.

Before joining CRA, Jot was the legislative director for the California Manufacturer’s Association, where he lobbied on behalf of California’s Fortune 500 companies. He also served as the chief lobbyist for the Southern California Air Quality Alliance, a consortium of aerospace, manufacturing and high-tech companies with an interest in air quality regulation issues. Before joining the Manufacturer’s Association, Jot worked in the State Capitol as staff director for Assistant Assembly Majority Leader, directing a staff of policy consultants and legislative aides. Prior to serving as staff director he was a legislative director for the Assembly Minority Whip and managed political campaigns in state legislative races.

He is past president of the national Council of State Restaurants Associations, served as Vice Chairman of Operations for Visit California, served two terms as a Board of Director for the National Restaurant Association, and serves as a board adviser to the California State University Hospitality & Tourism Management Education Initiative.

VP, Government Affairs & Impact I Inspire Brands

Ashley Coneff is an interdisciplinary leader in Government Affairs and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) with experience as a litigator, public servant, and lobbyist. She currently leads the Government Affairs and Impact teams at Inspire Brands, serving more than 3,300 franchisees and more than 32,000 restaurants. Her team engages in policy at all levels of government and inspires a 30+ billion company to be a better steward of the world’s resources and to better care for the communities they serve. She is well-known throughout the hospitality industry for her success in promoting and defending restaurant brands and small business and helping them achieve their sustainability and governance goals. Ashley also has demonstrated success in facilitating organizational process and change.

Member of the Firm | Epstein Becker Green P.C.

Paul DeCamp is a Member of the Firm in the Employment, Labor & Workforce Management practice, in the Washington, DC, office of Epstein Becker Green. He is Co-Chair of the firm’s national Wage and Hour practice group. A former Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Wage and Hour Division, Mr. DeCamp has more than two decades of experience representing employers and trade associations in the most complex and challenging wage and hour litigations, government investigations, and counseling matters.

Additionally, Mr. DeCamp has served as lead counsel in class and collective actions across the country. His work spans a broad range of industries, including aerospace, financial services, gaming, health care, hospitality, manufacturing, restaurants, retail, and transportation, as well as many others.

Appointed as Wage and Hour Administrator by the President of the United States in 2006, Mr. DeCamp was the chief federal officer responsible for interpreting and enforcing the nation’s wage and hour laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and a variety of prevailing wage statutes affecting government contractors. Most recently, Mr. DeCamp was a partner at a labor and employment law firm, where he served as National Chair of its Wage and Hour practice for eight years.

Chief Legal Strategist | National Pork Producers Council

Michael Formica is the Chief Legal Strategist for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). He is responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s legal strategy on the most important issues facing the pork industry.  He builds broad coalitions and works closely with the White House, congressional lawmakers, and federal and state agencies on regulatory and legal issues impacting pork producers.

Formica previously worked for two trade associations and in private legal practice.

He’s been recognized by his peers as one of the nation’s top lobbyists and received the Excellence in Agricultural Law award from the American Agricultural Law Association.

Shareholder | Littler Mendelson P.C.

Eli Freedberg is an experienced lawyer who has worked on cases on behalf of major corporations, mid-sized and small businesses, and individuals. Eli works to create workplace solutions for his clients across the hospitality (including hotels, restaurants, resorts, spas, country clubs, golf clubs, and fitness clubs), health care, retail, and financial industries.

He defends employers in litigation at both the federal and state levels, including matters related to the FLSA, ADA, Title VII, FMLA, and various state and local laws. Eli is an experienced litigator who has taken cases to arbitration and prevailed on motions for summary judgment. He also advises clients regarding the protection of trade secrets and the misappropriation of confidential or proprietary information, both defending employers and pursuing enforcement against former employees.​

Partner | Jenner & Block LLP

An appellate and complex commercial litigator, Gabriel Gillett develops, evaluates, and executes successful long-term legal strategies for clients facing multifaceted disputes. He crafts winning briefs and arguments in courts across the country on a range of issues, including contract and business disputes, class actions, government regulation, insurance coverage, antitrust, civil procedure, securities, preemption, and constitutional and administrative law.

Leading Jenner & Block’s partnership with the Restaurant Law Center, Mr. Gillett has been a go-to lawyer on major issues impacting restaurant and hospitality companies, franchisors, and franchisees. He has led the firm’s high-profile lawsuits in Chicago and New York on behalf of iconic restaurants seeking business interruption coverage from their insurance carriers. Mr. Gillett has also served as appellate counsel for the Restaurant Law Center and state restaurant associations in many federal and state cases involving business interruption claims, regulatory challenges, antitrust, ERISA, and other important issues.

Chair | Restaurant Law Center Board of Directors

General Counsel | P.F. Chang’s China Bistro 

Lisa Gressel is an active Member and serves as the current Chair of the Restaurant Law Center Board of Directors. She joined P.F. Chang’s in October 2016 where she is General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer, managing all legal, licensing, risk and HR activities for the Company.  Lisa has a deep level of experience handling complex legal, risk, compliance, and policy issues at publicly-traded and private companies.  Prior to joining P.F. Chang’s, Lisa developed and managed the compliance and enterprise risk management programs at PetSmart.  Lisa has also held positions as Deputy General Counsel of GE Aircraft Engines, SVP & General Counsel of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, General Counsel of Avella Specialty Pharmacy and EaglePicher Technologies, and Chief Compliance Officer of Nortel Networks in Toronto.  Lisa teaches a masters of law class in Enterprise Risk Management at Sandra Day O’Connor Law School at Arizona State University and is a frequent lecturer on Global Compliance & Ethics programs. She is experienced in partnering with Boards, senior management, and business managers in developing legal, risk and compliance programs to best meet the needs of the organization and advance its business objectives.  Lisa has a B.A. in Economics and a J.D.

Partner | Steptoe LLP

Tony Hopp is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in complex commercial, environmental, and mass tort matters. Tony handles all phases of single plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, and class action claims, and has tried multiple commercial and mass tort cases to verdict in state and federal courts. He has also argued and won appeals in Illinois, California, New York, Nebraska, and the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Some of these matters include defeating class certification in multiple consumer class actions, obtaining decertification of a consumer class, and defeating class certification for medical monitoring after a multi-day evidentiary hearing. Tony has also argued and won multiple motions to dismiss in putative consumer class actions involving allegations of consumer fraud and “slack fill”. He has successfully litigated numerous matters involving Lanham Act violations, trade secret claims, and breaches of post-employment restrictive covenants.

Over the course of his career, Tony has handled a wide variety of litigation and counseling engagements. His litigation experience includes mass tort matters, CERCLA cases, RCRA private citizen suits, consumer class actions, insurance coverage disputes including bad faith, unfair competition and Lanham Act claims, trade secret claims, actions for violation of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, shareholder derivative claims, dealership termination cases, housing discrimination and zoning litigation. His counseling experience includes risk management and product stewardship issues, environmental audits, internal corporate investigations, and local siting of solid waste management facilities.

Senior Counsel, Commercial Litigation | McDonald’s

Stacy Howard joined McDonald’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group as Senior Counsel in 2016, where she manages a wide-ranging docket of complex litigation, including lawsuits alleging breach of contract, false advertising, tortious interference, unfair or deceptive business practices, IP infringement, race discrimination and retaliation, and violations of the ADA, antitrust and wage and hour laws.  In addition to managing active litigation, Stacy provides strategy and counsels clients in response to pre-litigation demands and disputes, and she leads corporate responses to government and regulatory investigations.  Stacy takes great pride in collaborating with and advising clients across various McDonald’s business units and, above all, protecting the McDonald’s brand.

Prior to joining McDonald’s, Stacy was Senior Commercial Litigation Counsel for BMO Financial Group and worked as an associate in Big Law.

Shareholder | Greenberg Traurig LLP

Riley Lagesen, chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Restaurant Industry Group, serves as lead counsel to many of the nation’s most well-known restaurant brands and culinary talent. Riley’s passion for the restaurant industry comes from his many years as a restaurant employee, and later, a restaurant owner, in Los Angeles. He saw an opportunity for law firms to better serve restaurant industry clients, and has dedicated his career to supporting both clients and the restaurant industry.

Ranked and recognized in the restaurant industry as a leading legal and business advisor, Riley has deep restaurant finance and development experience, enabling him to help clients develop and execute up growth strategies. He is also well-connected in restaurant and food policy circles, leading efforts to create greater public access to real food, among other things.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Riley co-founded the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF) with his long-time client Chef Guy Fieri, which raised approximately $23 million and provided over 40,000 grants to impacted restaurant employees. In recognition of this work, Riley was selected as by the National Law Journal as a 2020 Crisis Leadership Trailblazer. Riley also founded and created Restaurant High, a popular not-for-profit and invitation only business, leadership and advocacy summit that attracts leading restaurant minds from around the country.

Partner, Complex Litigation and Trials; Mass Torts, Insurance and Consumer Litigation | Skadden LLP

For more than two decades, Mike McTigue has represented companies in class action defenses and complex civil litigation in jurisdictions across the country.

Mr. McTigue has counseled clients in international arbitration proceedings in the United States and in international forums. Additionally, he has substantial experience representing companies in the financial services, retail, telecommunications, technology, pharmaceutical and life sciences, education, hospitality and insurance industries.

Mr. McTigue has a successful record of obtaining early dismissals and plaintiffs’ voluntarily dismissal of claims, defending cases on the merits, defeating class certification, negotiating favorable individual settlements and curtailing the efforts of professional litigants. He routinely defends clients in matters that involve federal and state statutes, including numerous consumer protection laws, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act, among many others.

In recognition of his work, he has been repeatedly recognized by the BTI Consulting Group, Benchmark Litigation and The Legal Intelligencer for client service and contributions to the legal profession.

For several years, he has co-authored the Pennsylvania chapter of the International Comparative Legal Guide to Litigation and Dispute Resolution as well as the USA chapter of the International Comparative Legal Guide to Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations. Additionally, he has been a guest lecturer at Villanova University School of Law and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

Partner | Jenner & Block LLP

Andrew Merrick is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in a wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters, with a particular emphasis on vendor, distributor and supply chain disputes.  Andrew has litigated cases in federal and state courts and arbitration forums across numerous industries, including food and beverage, transportation, manufacturing, and energy and automation.

Andrew has particular expertise representing clients in commercial arbitration matters.  Andrew has tried more than a dozen arbitration cases to final hearing across the United States, including hearings in Georgia, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Washington D.C.  Andrew’s arbitration experience includes a wide variety of claims, including breach of contract, fraud and other business torts, trade secret misappropriation, and alleged antitrust violations.  Several of these matters were “bet-the-company” cases involving competing claims of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Andrew is known for working closely with his clients to develop a comprehensive litigation strategy with an emphasis on the client’s overall business objectives.  Andrew was recently recognized for his superior client service by being named to BTI Consulting Group’s list of 2023 Client Service All-Stars, the only lawyer ranking that relies solely on organic client feedback.

Of Counsel | Littler Mendelson P.C.

Michael Paglialonga provides advice and counsel to employers involving labor and employment law. Mike is devoted to helping employers understand and navigate the world of employment law. His broad range of experience covers claims related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, New York State Human Rights Law (DHR), COVID-19 related restrictions and reopening requirements, and New York labor law matters.

Prior to joining Littler, Mike worked for 15 years at the New York State Department of Labor, including most recently serving as first deputy counsel and as the acting general counsel. He represented the commissioner of labor in hundreds of administrative hearings against employers in both wage and hour, and safety and health cases, resulting in the recovery of millions of dollars. While at the Department, he analyzed, advised on, and negotiated amendments to the New York Labor Law as part of the legislative process. Mike was also principally responsible for the Department of Labor’s regulatory activities, and drafted countless regulations/regulatory packages that were adopted as law in Title 12 of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR).

Principal | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Melisa Panagakos understands that workplace law is about people and details. She is known for her personal and relatable demeanor with clients and witnesses, a critical factor when presenting complex matters to juries. Melisa defends her clients with practical yet persuasive strategies and does not shy away from trial. Indeed, she secured a defense verdict in a complicated race and age discrimination federal jury trial for one of the firm’s major clients.

Melisa has also successfully resolved more than a dozen complex class and collective FLSA and state law wage and hour matters, as well as protected confidential and trade secret information in non-compete matters. She stays current in class action litigation trends and workplace challenges and enjoys sharing her insights with clients.

Melisa excels at preventive counseling, and clients turn to her frequently for advice on a range of workplace matters, including leave and accommodation issues, performance counseling, and terminations. Clients frequently ask Melisa to conduct workplace trainings on performance management, anti-discrimination and harassment, and unconscious bias focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Regional Managing Partner • Co-Chair, Hospitality Industry Group | Fisher Phillips LLP

Alden Parker is the managing partner of the firm’s Sacramento office and the co-chair of the Hospitality Industry Group. Alden represents employers in all facets of employment law matters. He has considerable experience defending employers in litigation involving claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), California’s wage and hour laws, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Alden has also defended employers against whistleblowing and retaliation claims, including claims under the California Whistleblower Act and various provisions of the California Labor Code.

Alden has extensive experience defending employers in federal and state court, as well as in investigations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), United States Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

In addition to defending his clients in litigation, Alden frequently counsels employers to assist them in avoiding litigation. He regularly advises clients on leave management issues and the interactive process for employees with disabilities, reinstatement obligations under various leave laws and wage and hour compliance. Alden has prepared employee handbooks and a variety of agreements, including independent contractor, employment, confidentiality and trade secrets agreements.

His clients are involved in a variety of industries, including restaurants, retail, construction, and healthcare. Alden is also a frequent speaker for many human resources organizations, including those affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management.

Vice President of Legal, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

Libby Pitre is Vice President Legal – Labor and Employment, Litigation and Privacy at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro in Scottsdale, Arizona where she leads the company’s employment, litigation and privacy legal work.  Prior to joining P.F. Chang’s, she was Associate General Counsel at TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Assistant General Counsel at U-Haul International, both in Phoenix.

Partner | Sheppard Mullin LLP

Neil Popović is a partner in the Business Trial Practice Group in the firm’s San Francisco office and is Team Leader of the International Litigation and Arbitration Team and the ESG and Sustainability Team. He is also a member of the Sports Team.

Having taught International Environmental Law for 25 years, Neil draws on his deep knowledge of the field to advise clients on climate change-related issues, as well as environmental marketing claims and the intersection of human rights and the environment.  Neil’s ESG and Sustainability practice includes counseling and dispute resolution.  Neil helps clients address ESG and Sustainability as a way to enhance their business interests.

Neil’s international practice includes multijurisdictional litigation, international commercial arbitration and investment arbitration. His arbitration experience includes AAA, CIETAC, ICC, ICDR, ICSID, JAMS, LCIA, and UNCITRAL arbitration rules, among others. Neil also practices international environmental law, including counseling and representing clients in international negotiations. Neil also serves as a Project Complaint Mechanism Expert for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Neil’s litigation experience includes a wide range of commercial disputes, including consumer class actions, as well as white collar criminal matters (including internal investigations). Neil has developed expertise in California’s Unfair Competition Law, Business and Professionals Code section 17200, as well as legal issues related to environmental marketing and federal preemption.

Neil serves on the firmwide Pro Bono Committee and coordinates pro bono activities in the San Francisco office.

Neil teaches courses in International Litigation and Arbitration, International Environmental Law, and Law, Politics and Policymaking (Rule of Law) at the University of California, Berkeley.

Restaurant Industry Leader | Former CEO, Red Robin

Denny Marie Post is a former public company CEO with a 35+ year record of successful strategic innovation and team building for iconic brands including Starbucks, T-Mobile, Yum Brands, Burger King and, most recently, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.

Denny’s focus on delivering innovative products and services to consumers while inspiring both customer and employee loyalty have been central to her track record of breakthrough results in generating profits, incremental revenue, and enhanced brand recognition.

Denny’s career began as an advisor in marketing strategy to Fortune 500 clients at leading firms including Whittle Communications and Tracy-Locke/BBDO Advertising.  This client-based perspective informed her general management, marketing, and innovation leadership with Yum Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut), Burger King, T-Mobile, Starbucks, and Red Robin.

Innovation has been a major theme in Denny’s career.  She conceived, developed, and marketed best-selling products for KFC, Burger King, Starbucks, and T-Mobile, including Pike Place Roast at Starbucks, Red’s Tavern Double and Finest lines at Red Robin, Popcorn Chicken at KFC, and Chicken Fries at Burger King.  Innovation has also characterized the way Denny has organized partnerships and business units to improve business operations and customer service, including creating a co-branded opportunity to support self-delivery and to drive sales at Red Robin.  Marketing has been yet another source of innovation, with her successes including the launch of the first Android phone in partnership with Google and engaging Eric Clapton to benefit his charitable cause promoting the Fender MyTouch phone at T-Mobile.

Denny’s ability to turn around under-performing brands and organizations has benefited from her ability to inspire employee and customer loyalty.  At Red Robin she oversaw the most successful loyalty program in Casual Dining industry with 8 million+ members and opened communication with employees to produce best-in-class engagement and “intent to stay” metrics.   She was recognized for her commitment to gender parity in board and leadership when she received industry coveted SOAR and Golden Chain awards.

Board and industry service have also been hallmarks of Denny’s career.  She currently serves on the boards of Travel + Leisure (TNL) where she is a member of the Governance and Compensation committees and Vital Farms (VITL), a rapid growth B Corp where she is Lead Director.  She also currently serves on the boards of Libbey Glass as a member of the Audit committee, Bluestone Lane Holdings, LLC as Lead Director and P.F. Chang’s.  She is past chair of the Women’s Foodservice Forum and previously served as a board member of Red Robin (RRGB), the Denver branch of the Kansas City Federal Reserve, Blue Dog Bakery Natural Dog Treats and Prosperity Organic Foods.

Executive Vice President & Deputy General Counsel | Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises

Ethan Samson is the Executive Vice President & Deputy General Counsel for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants.  In addition to legal affairs, Ethan oversees development/new business opportunities for Lettuce and provides strategic oversight for the corporate and operations teams.

Ethan started his career with Lettuce as a Summer Intern while attending the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign).  After graduating with dual-degrees in Accounting and Finance, he earned his CPA and started as a Staff Accountant for Lettuce. Ethan continued in this role while earning his JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law until graduating and being admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2010. He spent the next four years working as a Corporate Attorney specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions at Reed Smith LLP.  Ethan rejoined Lettuce in the Legal Department in 2014.

Since his return, Ethan has had the opportunity to be on the frontlines of the company’s growth by participating in the negotiations for leases and financing sources for new projects in existing markets (Chicagoland, DC Metro, Las Vegas, Los Angeles) and for the company’s entry into new markets (Austin, Orlando, Miami).

He additionally supports the operations teams in working through ever-changing regulations and a wide variety of legal matters.  Ethan also played a key role in facilitating the Wow Bao transaction with Valor Equity Partners (Valor), a Chicago-based equity firm that partnered with Lettuce to grow the Wow Bao brand.

Ethan sits on the Board of Directors for the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services and is a member of the Advisory Council for the Illinois Restaurant Association.

Vice President & Associate General Counsel I Focus Brands, LLC

Hans Schmidt is Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Focus Brands LLC. He provides legal support and guidance to Focus’ family of brands (including Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s) on trademarks, marketing (including loyalty programs, sweepstakes, press releases, menus and packaging, POP, and other marketing materials), litigation, and employment law matters. Hans also supports the Retail Channels licensing business, which involves licensing of brand trademarks for use in the CPG and foodservice space. Hans joined Focus Brands in September 2019. Prior to joining Focus Brands, Hans spent six years with a subsidiary of a global apparel manufacturer based in Nashville, TN, supporting its international workwear apparel business on wide variety of legal issues from supply and uniform contracts to global trade sanction and anti-bribery compliance. Prior to starting his in-house career, Hans spent eight years with a firm practicing business litigation and employment law in Birmingham, AL and Nashville, TN. When not working, Hans and his wife love raising their eight-year-old daughter and taking care of their two dogs.

Partner, Complex Litigation and Trials; Mass Torts, Insurance and Consumer Litigation | Skadden LLP

Meredith Slawe represents clients across a range of industries in class actions nationwide and mass arbitrations. She often secures early victories to help clients avoid protracted litigation, including by developing strategies that prompt plaintiffs to dismiss their claims, compelling arbitration, defeating class certification and obtaining dismissals at summary judgment. Ms. Slawe also advises retailers and consumer-facing companies in connection with artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.

Ms. Slawe frequently works on cases focused on cutting-edge privacy and consumer protection issues under federal and state statutes. Prior to joining Skadden, she served as head of her previous firm’s retail industry practice and co-head of its class actions practice, giving her deep experience in advising retailers and consumer companies on class actions and mitigating litigation and enforcement risk. She has handled matters in several jurisdictions involving compliance with federal and state laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, California Consumer Privacy Act and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, among many others.

Ms. Slawe was elected to the American Law Institute and the American Bar Foundation and has been the recipient of numerous legal awards and accolades, including from The American Lawyer, Benchmark Litigation and The Legal 500. She is frequently invited to speak and write on issues pertaining to class actions, privacy, consumer arbitration and the retail industry. Additionally, she has been a guest lecturer on privacy at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and has presented at the Annenberg School of Communications. Ms. Slawe is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion and speaks regularly on issues pertaining to women in the profession.

Vice President of Legal I Restaurant Brands International

Vicente Tome serves as Vice President of Legal for Restaurant Brands International (RBI), which owns the Burger King®, Popeyes®, Tim Hortons® and Firehouse Subs® brands. He is responsible with his team of lawyers for legal support of all 4 RBI brands in the U.S. and Latin America in the areas of franchising, real estate, marketing and intellectual property.  He has been with Burger King Corporation (BKC), and then with RBI after BKC’s acquisition, for over 17 years.

Principal | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Benjamin Tulis is a principal in the Los Angeles, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. His practice focuses on advice and counsel within the labor and employment law sector. Ben is a member of the California Advice and Counsel resource group.

Ben counsels employers on a host of employment issues, including wage and hour laws, leaves of absence, employment-related agreements, incentive plans, independent contractor classifications, exempt/non-exempt classifications, company policies, reductions in force, workplace investigations, employee discipline, litigation avoidance and helping employers address legal developments on the fly as they arise. Ben assists employers with a wide variety of employment-related agreements, including but not limited to employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, commission agreements, incentive plans, contractor agreements, severance agreements, arbitration agreements and various other agreements with employees and third parties. Ben helps employers develop incentive arrangements, including commission arrangements with industry-specific compliance issues.

Ben also conducts audits for employers in various areas, including wage and hour, leaves of absence and due diligence audits in connection with business sales and purchases. Ben further conducts training and seminars on employment related issues, including sexual harassment prevention training and managerial trainings in a wide variety of compliance areas.

Prior to transitioning to exclusively providing advice and counsel work, Ben litigated and arbitrated a number of matters through verdict. Ben has experience representing employers and individual defendants in a wide range of employment and labor matters, including wrongful termination, matters arising under ERISA, administrative matters, wage and hour class actions, and matters involving competition and restrictive covenants.

Chief Operations Officer I Denny’s Corporation

Alex Williams is Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Denny’s Corporation, reporting directly to Denny’s President. Williams oversees day-to-day operations. He also develops and executes the strategic vision for the operations of the Denny’s Brand. Williams has decades of experience in the restaurant industry, having served in key operations roles with Starbucks, McDonald’s, Outback Steakhouse, Fleming’s Steakhouse and Moe’s Southwest Grill. He possesses an impressive blend of operations expertise and restaurant industry credentials. His role is pivotal in ensuring that Denny’s world-class food and operational excellence continues to be the hallmark of the Denny’s experience.