Michael Ritenour

Background

About Michael Ritenour

Unique combination of 42 years' experience in Corporate and Trial law (rated A-V Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell) plus directorship of Human Resources and Risk Management. Building on a successful career as a civil litigation defense trial attorney and outside advisor to companies, recently the in-house General Counsel for a $100 million wholesaler/distributor of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. From 2007 to 2016 served as in-house Corporate Legal Counsel and Risk Manager (including 2.5 years as HR Director) to 160 person and 400+ person multi-discipline engineering, architecture, land development, environmental, surveying, and construction firms with a combined 19 offices in 16 states and Canada. Also recently trial attorney for a private insurance defense firm and a major multi-national insurer. Experienced in complex litigation, corporate law (mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiation, drafting, and review, incorporations), real estate management and law, employment law, risk management and insurance, OSHA and safety, compliance, EEOC/ADEA/NLRB/ADA/FCRA litigation and claims, intellectual property, oversight of 401(k) trustee and benefits providers, commercial property management, acquisition, and leasing, and management of in-house and outside counsel in US, Europe, and China. Specialties-Creating, organizing, and managing legal departments (corporations and insurance companies)-Strategic planning-Human resources-Devising and implementing systems, policies, and practices to assess risk, avoid litigation, and minimize liability exposure-Providing legal and practical advice to the Board of Directors and upper Management on all legal and business/corporate governance issues, managing, negotiating, and resolving conflicts with clients, employees, shareholders, bankers, and vendors-Contract negotiation, drafting, and review-High exposure civil litigation from first notice through trial and appeal-Managing real estate and real estate litigation-Vetting, hiring, and managing outside counsel worldwide.