Profiles search
Karen Bland
Trade Compliance Champion/Strategic Advisor
Washington D.C., DC, United States
Details
Education:
M.A.
Law and International Affairs
American University
1993
J.D.
American University, Washington College of Law
1992
B.A.
American Government (major), Spanish (minor)
University of Virginia
1989
Law and International Affairs
American University
1993
J.D.
American University, Washington College of Law
1992
B.A.
American Government (major), Spanish (minor)
University of Virginia
1989
Experience:
2021 : Present
HP
Director, Trade Compliance/Trade Compliance & Cybersecurity Counsel
2019 :
HP
Trade Compliance Counsel
Managed the global compliance program across Ferguson plc companies. Developed policies, procedures, and trainings in areas of anti-bribery & corruption (FCPA and UKBA), antitrust and fair competition laws, economic sanctions and trade compliance laws.
2018 : 2019
Ferguson plc
Group Head of Compliance
Advised National Account and Facility Supply business units on strategic business deals, reviewed and negotiated major contracts, advised Global Sourcing teams on trade compliance and customs matters.
Managed attorneys supporting the Blended Branches, Waterworks, Industrial, and HVAC business units.
In 2016, changed roles to manage Ferguson's corporate compliance and ethics program, leadng the development of a new Code of Conduct and enhanced the compliance training program.
2015 : 2019
Ferguson plc
Deputy General Counsel
Managed small legal/compliance team for publicly-traded sensor technology and manufacturing company with $400 million in annual sales and 3900 employees in 21 sites in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. MEAS supplies sensors to customers in the automotive, aerospace, military/defense, medical, consumer electronics, and general industrial markets. Promoted from Director/Counsel to General Counsel in July 2013 and charged with expanding in-house legal and compliance team.
General Corporate Responsibilities : Legal review and negotiation of U.S. and international contracts. Advised Senior Managers on interpretation of indemnity clauses (IP, product and general liability, and product recall) to facilitate risk management in major supply agreements. Advised business teams on interpretation and compliance with FAR and DFAR requirements. Lead in-house attorney in due diligence review of regulatory and compliance issues in six acquisitions from 2010 - 2014 and sale of MEAS to TE Connectivity, Ltd.
Compliance Responsibilities : Established company's global export compliance program as the subject matter expert on U.S. and EU export controls and sanctions. Served as the company's Empowered Official. Executed enhancements to the company's FCPA compliance activities, including training of international third party distributors. Prepared and conducted company-wide compliance trainings, internal export compliance audits, and voluntary disclosures. Co-architecht of the company's conflict minerals compliance program. Presentations to Senior Managers on effectiveness of compliance programs.
Key Accomplishments :
• Obtained no action letter from the U.S. State Department in an ITAR voluntary disclosure proceeding.
• Designed and executed a company-wide contract review procedure for customer service personnel.
• Successfully defended classification of custom thermistors as non-restricted items under Irish export controls.
2009 : 2014
Measurement Specialties, Inc.
General Counsel and Global Export Compliance Officer
HP
Director, Trade Compliance/Trade Compliance & Cybersecurity Counsel
2019 :
HP
Trade Compliance Counsel
Managed the global compliance program across Ferguson plc companies. Developed policies, procedures, and trainings in areas of anti-bribery & corruption (FCPA and UKBA), antitrust and fair competition laws, economic sanctions and trade compliance laws.
2018 : 2019
Ferguson plc
Group Head of Compliance
Advised National Account and Facility Supply business units on strategic business deals, reviewed and negotiated major contracts, advised Global Sourcing teams on trade compliance and customs matters.
Managed attorneys supporting the Blended Branches, Waterworks, Industrial, and HVAC business units.
In 2016, changed roles to manage Ferguson's corporate compliance and ethics program, leadng the development of a new Code of Conduct and enhanced the compliance training program.
2015 : 2019
Ferguson plc
Deputy General Counsel
Managed small legal/compliance team for publicly-traded sensor technology and manufacturing company with $400 million in annual sales and 3900 employees in 21 sites in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. MEAS supplies sensors to customers in the automotive, aerospace, military/defense, medical, consumer electronics, and general industrial markets. Promoted from Director/Counsel to General Counsel in July 2013 and charged with expanding in-house legal and compliance team.
General Corporate Responsibilities : Legal review and negotiation of U.S. and international contracts. Advised Senior Managers on interpretation of indemnity clauses (IP, product and general liability, and product recall) to facilitate risk management in major supply agreements. Advised business teams on interpretation and compliance with FAR and DFAR requirements. Lead in-house attorney in due diligence review of regulatory and compliance issues in six acquisitions from 2010 - 2014 and sale of MEAS to TE Connectivity, Ltd.
Compliance Responsibilities : Established company's global export compliance program as the subject matter expert on U.S. and EU export controls and sanctions. Served as the company's Empowered Official. Executed enhancements to the company's FCPA compliance activities, including training of international third party distributors. Prepared and conducted company-wide compliance trainings, internal export compliance audits, and voluntary disclosures. Co-architecht of the company's conflict minerals compliance program. Presentations to Senior Managers on effectiveness of compliance programs.
Key Accomplishments :
• Obtained no action letter from the U.S. State Department in an ITAR voluntary disclosure proceeding.
• Designed and executed a company-wide contract review procedure for customer service personnel.
• Successfully defended classification of custom thermistors as non-restricted items under Irish export controls.
2009 : 2014
Measurement Specialties, Inc.
General Counsel and Global Export Compliance Officer
Company:
HP
Years of Experience:
28
Skills
Commercial Litigation, Employment Law, Intellectual Property, International Law, International Relations, International Trade, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Licensing, Mergers, Mergers & Acquisitions, Negotiation, Public Policy, Research
About
Accomplished, results-driven attorney with both in-house and large firm experience in domestic and international commercial transactions and international trade regulatory compliance.
Specialties: General Counsel for publicly-traded company, Commercial Contracts, Commercial Litigation Management, Import/Export (ITAR, EAR, OFAC), FCPA, Mergers & Acquisitions, FAR/DFAR, Compliance Training, Trade Policy Development and Advocacy.
Profile Photo
