Operating in the Gray: Balancing Risk Tolerance with Business Objectives

Joni S. Jacobsen, Global Co-chair of the Securities and Complex Litigation practice group, defends publicly traded companies and their directors and officers when they become entangled in securities class action litigation, derivative litigation, SEC investigations and corporate governance disputes. Ranked in Chambers and The Legal 500 (U.S.), Ms. Jacobsen was named Among the Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business. Since 2017, she has been a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School, her alma mater, where she teaches a seminar in Strategic Considerations in Securities Litigation. She also is a prolific author on securities litigation and corporate governance issues and frequently lectures on such topics.

Ms. Jacobsen has litigated in federal and state courts throughout the country. She consistently succeeds in having the vast majority of her cases dismissed outright on motions to dismiss, thereby reducing the distraction and burden on her clients and resulting in significant savings for clients and insurance carriers alike. In the minority of cases that survive through motion practice, she takes a strategic approach in opposing motions for class certification or bringing motions for summary judgment in order to achieve the best possible resolution for her clients. Ms. Jacobsen's experience makes her particularly adept at helping clients navigate an onslaught of simultaneous litigation from various fronts, including securities actions, derivative actions, government investigations and shareholder demand letters seeking books and records. Ms. Jacobsen also regularly advises companies and the boards of directors regarding corporate governance matters, including compliance related issues. She has also represented numerous special litigation committees conducting extensive investigations and subsequently litigating the committees’ decisions in court.

Ms. Jacobsen originally formulated the concept of a Women in Securities Litigation Network, personally reached out to women at various firms, and formed an advisory committee. She has since driven the formation and success of the WSL organization. The WSL is a national network designed to increase collaboration among women who practice in this space, as well as promote the use of female experts and mediators. The WSL has now grown to several hundred members nationwide, has a dedicated website at wsl-network.com, and holds quarterly events featuring female judges, experts, mediators and other prominent keynote speakers.

Prior to joining Dechert, Ms. Jacobsen was a partner in the litigation and dispute resolution practice of an international law firm.

Atlanta fintech veteran Lisa Roberts has joined Stax Payments as senior vice president and general counsel. Other C-suite additions include fintech Amy Waldhauer as chief commercial officer and Jenn Reichenbacher as chief marketing officer.

With decades of experience in the fintech space, the new executives give Stax incremental depth in key areas required to further its growth in the payments space. The three leaders will build on Stax’s legacy of innovation to deliver differentiated solutions to help customers succeed.

Dimple Manghnani built out [solidcore]’s legal department from the ground up. A wearer of many hats, Dimple oversees the company’s compliance, contract, and vendor negotiations, and commercial transactions. More recently, Dimple supported her company through two rounds of funding, and an acquisition, and led their real estate negotiations through COVID-19.

Outside of her practice, Dimple is a fitness enthusiast, dog lover, amateur wine connoisseur, and appreciator of all outdoor adventures.

Ana Salas Siegel is the CEO and Founder of GESA Globalist Ventures where she offers fractional general counsel services as well as risk management and business consulting services to clients seeking to successfully anticipate and address complexities as they grow their business.

Most recently, Salas Siegel served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and oversaw all legal resources, including the division’s Business & Legal Affairs team. As a key member of the senior leadership team, she was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the legal department and supervising all legal and business affairs issues impacting the group. In addition to overseeing strategic and complex commercial agreements, Salad Siegel worked closely with NBCUniversal’s corporate legal resources on transactional, litigation and employment law, as well as intellectual property, labor relations and compliance matters.

Previously, Salas Siegel worked at Fox Latin America Channels for 12 years, most recently serving as Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs. In that role she was responsible for all legal matters relating to their pay TV channels, and production and sports facilities in Latin America, in addition to managing and developing the legal department. During her tenure, she also served as Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel for Fox International Channels. Prior to that Salas Siegel served for four years as the Director of Business & Legal Affairs at Universal Studios Networks Latin America Inc.