Joel A. Cherry

**** ********** **** abldos@r.postjobfree.com

Nashville, TN 37204 615-***-****

Offering 30 Years of Combined Legal and Business Expertise

Accomplished attorney and executive with demonstrated success advancing

business goals while aligning practices with legal requirements for private

and publicly traded companies. Known as a strong leader who thrives under

pressure.

. Accelerated results by designing legal strategies that resolved corporate

governance, litigation, regulatory, intellectual property, licensing,

employment, and other legal issues.

. Structured profitable deals and secured favorable terms for complex

multimillion-dollar contracts, including sales, joint venture, licensing,

and other agreements.

. Maximized value of intellectual property portfolios by leveraging

expertise handling copyrights, trademarks, and patents, as well as

through careful oversight of and enforcement regarding intellectual

property assets.

Core Competencies

Business Operations Legal Affairs Corporate Governance

Joint Ventures

Global & Domestic Transactions Sustainability Programs

Contracts Negotiations

Advocacy Litigation Outside Counsel Management Employee &

Labor Relations

Intellectual Property Risk Management Legal Budgets Team

Management

Experience & Highlights

General Counsel - Senior Vice President - Corporate Secretary

Tractor Supply Company Brentwood, TN 2005-2010

Nation's #1 leisure farming and ranching retailer; $3.5 billion public

company with 15,000 employees in 1,000+ locations.

Leadership role overseeing all aspects of legal operations for this iconic

organization. Created and effectuated legal strategies, policies, and

procedures for all divisions, including Merchandising, Marketing, Finance,

Global Sourcing, Information Technologies, Logistics, and Human Resources.

Identified and resolved issues raised in complex transactions, compliance,

licensing, regulatory, corporate governance, contract negotiations,

disputes, intellectual property, and related issues across multiple legal

disciplines. Counseled executive management on aligning corporate goals

with legal requirements and on business issues.

. Credited with improving revenues by turning around company's outdated

transaction-handling processes; changed processes proved more efficient,

facilitated 1,200+ vendor relationships valued at $2+ billion, and

reduced third-party disputes dramatically.

. Increased value of company's brands by millions of dollars by leading

branding initiative and through careful oversight and enforcement of

intellectual property assets.

. Driving force behind successful sustainability initiative that generated

almost immediate results; defined and deployed action plan carried out

across all divisions.

. Spearheaded critical aspects of global sourcing initiative that became

$350 million revenue stream; managed unique issues presented by

international and import-export laws.

. Protected company from potentially catastrophic penalties and liabilities

by formulating business policies and procedures in compliance with state

and federal regulations, including corporate governance and reporting

practices.

General Counsel Gibson Musical Instruments Nashville, TN

2003-2005

Legendary manufacturer and distributor of musical instruments; 2,000+

employees worldwide.

Proactively led all aspects of legal strategies for all divisions of

company's operations around the world, overseeing 70+ employees. Closed

high-stakes deals, resolved issues raised by litigation and other disputes,

and directed outside counsel. Advised CEO on joint ventures, corporate

governance, and other areas crucial to company's business operations. Led

International Relations Division, and its ten global offices, to new levels

of success.

. Bolstered revenues by over $10 million by negotiating with China's

Minister of Culture to secure a majority ownership interest in China's

second-largest piano manufacturer; overcame long-standing cultural

differences during year-long negotiation to close deal.

. Tripled European stringed instrument business by securing hard-fought

joint venture with Europe's venerable, premier stringed instrument

organization (inception of which dates back to the 17th century).

Attorney Private Practice Nashville, TN 1994-2003

Respected practitioner and consultant in entertainment and intellectual

property law.

Strengthened legal strategies related to transactions for a range of

entertainment industry legends, including musicians, film studios, video

game producers, and others.

. Closed deals for LucasFilm, International Gaming Technologies, Reba

McEntire, Gloria Estefan, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, and many

others.

Senior Vice President, Business Affairs EMI Records New

York, NY 1992-1994

International recording company counting the Beatles and the Beach Boys

among its artists.

Delivered legal solutions to transactional issues, ensuring favorable terms

for record deals and allowing company to exploit artists' works globally.

Introduced innovative contract tracking system and international matrix

agreement that ensured consistent global treatment of similar terms in

different contracts, and provided a uniform methodology of communication

among all divisions worldwide.

Earlier Experience

Excelled in roles of increasing responsibility, including Founding Partner

with Katz & Cherry, P.C. Earned recognition as one of the premier

entertainment and media law firms in the nation. Clients included FarmAid,

Inc., The Jacksons, Jimmy Buffet, and scores of other industry stars.

Education

Juris Doctor

University of Georgia School of Law

Bachelor of Arts

Pennsylvania State University

Memberships

Tennessee State Bar

Georgia State Bar

American Bar Association

National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Entertainment Law Initiative

Founding Member & Executive Board Member

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