Kaufman adds formidable experience in technology and content as Of Counsel
Los Angeles, Calif. (May 29, 2018) — O&A is pleased to announce that Ed Kaufman has joined the growing venture and corporate law firm for technology and content as Of Counsel. Ed specializes in employment law and human resources, licensing and merchandising, interactive entertainment, entertainment, and commercial and corporate transactions.
With more than thirty years of experience as an attorney, senior executive, and general counsel, Ed brings a diverse background and breadth of knowledge to his role at O&A.
“At O&A, we represent companies at every stage of growth and often companies that are scaling rapidly,” said Dan Offner, Founder and Managing Partner at O&A. “Ed has been through this with the WWE, THQ, and World Oil. He brings a wealth of experience in entertainment, videogames, employment, and corporate law. We are thrilled to have Ed join the O&A team!”
Ed began his legal career in 1984 as an associate at a San Francisco boutique labor and employment law firm, representing corporations such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America. He then served as the sole In-House Employment Counsel for Security Pacific Corp. before joining NBC as the Human Resources and Employee Relations Director managing labor and employee relations, as well as day-to-day negotiations. Building on his experience in entertainment, Ed then joined Hanna-Barbera Inc. as Director of Business and Legal Affairs.
In 1997, Ed transitioned into the role of general counsel in becoming the first General Counsel of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE), while also serving as the company’s Corporate Secretary. For more than a decade, he managed the company’s business and legal affairs, including its initial public offering, secondary offering, acquisition of assets of its chief competitor, talent contracts, global copyright and trademark enforcement program, and foray into the XFL.
Making the move to Los Angeles, Ed joined videogame developer and publisher THQ Inc. as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2009 and interactive content and connectivity solutions provider Sonifi Solutions Inc. as General Counsel in 2013. In 2014, Ed joined World Oil Corp. as Chief Legal Officer and Head of Human Resources. Between 2014 and 2017, Ed oversaw all legal, human resources, legislative, and community matters for the company.
With this multifaceted background, Ed now joins O&A, bringing with him a wealth of experience with which to enable entrepreneurs and investors alike to succeed in their business endeavors. Ed notes: “I am excited to be joining Dan and his talented group of lawyers and support staff. I have known Dan for 20 years, first as a formidable adversary during my tenure at WWE and later as one of my key outside attorneys at THQ. Dan is an exceptional lawyer and businessman. I look forward to working alongside Dan and the team.”
In addition to serving O&A as Of Counsel, Ed is currently the part-time General Counsel of pocket.watch, a digital media startup paving a unique space in children’s entertainment.
Ed received his JD from Stanford Law School and his Bachelor’s from the University of Virginia, where he graduated with Honors.
About O&A
O&A is an elite team of attorneys committed to helping clients achieve their objectives — efficiently and effectively. The firm represents some of the biggest companies in technology and interactive entertainment, as well as some of the world’s most innovative entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies. Founded by Dan Offner, O&A specializes in venture and corporate law technology and content. For more information, please visit http://oandapc.com/.