Sales Real Estate

GEA SOMMA

*** *. ******** ****** • Massapequa, NY 11758 • Cell: 516-***-**** • Email: ********@*****.***

ATTORNEY

Expertise in Contract Law & Business Development in the U.S. and Italy.

Transactional attorney experienced in contract drafting, preparation, and negotiation, with a background in intellectual property, marketing and advertising, website/e-commerce legal compliance, franchising, commercial real estate leases, consumer protection law, bankruptcy and corporate law. Well-versed in international law, having practiced in Italy and the U.S. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Proficient legal analysis, writing skills, document preparation, problem solving, and transactional skills.

CORE SKILL AREAS:

Legal Writing, Document Drafting & Analysis

Collaboration, Leadership & Teamwork

Creative Problem Solving

Effective Leadership & Negotiation Skills

Presentation & Interpersonal Communication

Project & Case Management

Diverse Legal Experience

Results Oriented

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

THE GARDEN CITY GROUP INC. (“GCG”), Lake Success, NY December 7, 2009 to Present

Bankruptcy Consultant - Bankruptcy Operations

Provide expert advice for the administration of client's bankruptcy reorganization under Chapter 11.

• Supervisory responsibility for the preparation of the Statement of Financial Affairs and Schedules for the disclosure of debtor’s assets and liabilities, and other appropriate disclosure statements. Review of clients’ financial data, executory contracts, 10K report for publicly traded companies, and other information.

• Supervisory responsibility for the Transfers of Claims and Notices of Appearances filed in connection with Debtor’s cases.

• Supervisory responsibility for the Creditors Committee Cases.

• Supervisory responsibility for the analysis of the proofs of claims and related reports.

• Assisting the Legal Department with the preparation of documents for the Department of Justice for the prosecution of fraudulent claims presented in various cases managed by GCG.

DIAL A MATTRESS (1-800-MATTRESS.COM), Long Island City, NY June 12, 2006 – August 18, 2009

Assistant Vice President / Attorney

Provided in-house legal counsel on all matters, including the draft, review and negotiation of commercial agreements, for the successful operation of a telemarketing/internet company with 44 stores, 3 warehouses, and 3 franchisees, at first as Staff Attorney, then as Assistant Vice President and Attorney. Evaluated various offers from prospected investors for the sale of the company and its affiliates. Advised on various bankruptcy issues for the reorganization of the company under Chapter 11.

• Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts, professional service, consulting, licensing, drop-ship, distribution, IT, telecommunication, equipment leasing, distribution, non-disclosure, general releases, marketing agreements, wide variety of vendor agreements, and other commercial agreements.

• Advised on website development; negotiated and drafted website development agreements, double-click agreements, SaaS agreements, software licensing agreements, in-bound chat agreements, and other service level agreements. Reviewed website content, drafted Conditions of Use for website, Store Policy, and Privacy Policies for all printed material. Monitored website for legal compliance.

• Reviewed commercial real estate leases, including termination agreements, estoppels certificates, subordination agreements, kick-outs, options to renew, assignments, subleases; review request for operating expense increases, CAM and real estate tax reconciliations, and monitoring old lease agreements. Handled landlord-tenant issues such as roof leaks, inventory damage, HVAC/plumbing matters, ADA compliance, insurance matters, sprinklers/alarm systems, and utilities issues.

• Advised on copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property matters; managed trademark portfolio; drafted, reviewed and negotiated licensing and other IP agreements; advised on revenue-sharing agreements, as well as distribution agreements and strategic joint ventures (including co-branding, co-promotion, customer and data sharing arrangements, and joint licensing agreements). Prepared appearance and testimonial releases, as well as assignment of copyrights; prepared cease and desist letters, opposition and consent agreement, and other documents to protect company’s IP; instructed employees on procedures for maintaining legal integrity of intellectual property.

• Drafted, reviewed and negotiated marketing and advertising agreements, and other service contracts. Reviewed and approved ads (print, radio, TV and email blasts) in connection with Brand Management, State Law, FTC regulations, telemarketing, CAN-Spam laws, and drafted appropriate legal disclaimers. Drafted documents and rules in connection with sweepstakes, contests and other promotional programs. Reviewed promotional items and ensured consistency across all sales channels.

• Advised on regulatory matters in compliance with Federal and State Law. Conducted legal research and drafted legal memorandum and opinion letters. Drafted and implemented a universal sales policy to streamline and increase operational efficiency, including all three sales venues, retail, online, and phone. Created and enforced policies to ensure vendor products’ compliance with FTC regulations, with particular regard to Label Law and Flammability Standard Law.

• Advised on Employment Law matters in general; drafted employment agreements; analyzed WARN Act and COBRA issues in connection with the termination of substantially all corporate employee.

• Advised on franchise and business opportunities laws; reviewed various agreements in compliance with franchise and business opportunities laws; prepared documents for the renewal of the annual FDD registration in multiple states; enforced policies to ensure company’s compliance with the offering of the FDD to prospected franchisees.

• Conducted general corporate matters, including obtaining assumed name certificates, good standing certificates, corporate reinstatements, retail store licenses, permits, personal property tax issues, and sales invoice compliance with various state and local regulations.

• Managed portfolio of entities; drafted formation of corporations, corporate resolutions and filings, and updated corporate status for all entities.

• Liaised with the SEC, FTC, Better Business Bureau, Attorney General, and Consumer Affairs agencies to field queries and create rapport to facilitate an effective business relationship.

• Represented firm in response to customer issues, complaints, and litigation.

• Partnered with outside counsel for expert advice on complex matters related to franchise law, intellectual property, employment and bankruptcy law.

CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON, NEW YORK, NY January, 2006 - June 2006

Contract Attorney

Participated in the representation of an international pharmaceutical company in connection with a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation.

LAW FIRM OF OLIVETTI, DE NARO PAPA & FERRO, Milan, Italy 1998 – 2000

Associate

Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated a wide variety of contracts for clients in connection with franchise, intellectual property, and commercial legal matters. Conducted discovery, court appearances, and legal research in connection with corporate, commercial, employment, banking and bankruptcy matters.

• Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts, non-disclosure, general releases, professional service, consulting, licensing, procurement, distribution, telecommunication, equipment leasing and marketing agreements, wide variety of vendor agreements, and other commercial agreements.

• Advised clients on copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property matters; prepared documents for the registration of the intellectual property with the appropriate authorities; advised on IP's infringement issues, prepared cease and desist letters, opposition and consent agreements. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated licensing and other IP related agreements. Managed clients’ trademark portfolio.

• Spearheaded collections, reviewed contracts, and prepared opinion letters for over 40 clients.

• Drafted all pleadings in connection with litigations for breach of contract (courts and arbitrations).

GEMEAZ CUSINE / SODEXHO S.R.L., Milan, Italy 1998

Stagier

Oversaw a caseload of collection claims; evaluated and identified debts owed, prepared and filed creditor claims in bankruptcy proceedings, and liaised with outside counsel to obtain the collections for the wholesale and food service division of a multinational company.

LAW FIRM OF ANASTASI, Milan, Italy 1996 – 1998

Associate

Drafted opinion memoranda, contracts, leases and other commercial agreements for corporate clients.

• Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts, professional service, consulting, licensing, distribution, equipment leasing agreements, wide variety of vendor agreements, and other commercial agreements.

• Advised 2 clients in the educational training sector on consumer protection related matters; drafted sales agreements in compliance with mandatory European consumer protection law; defended clients in small claims court, and facilitated obtaining collections of outstanding payments; evaluated consumer cases to identify meritocracies in the cases to determine the necessity of voiding the agreement.

• Represented corporate clients in the government contract industry in relation to collections and breach of contract issues.

EDUCATION

L.L.M., Corporate & Business Law, HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY, Hempstead, NY - 2004

Coursework includes: Business Organizations, Complex Corporate Transactions, International Business Transactions, and International Commercial Arbitration

Juris Doctor, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO, Milan, Italy – 1995

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BAR ADMISSION: Member, The New York State Bar Association, 2007; Italy, 2000

LANGUAGES: Native Italian, Conversational Spanish

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