1. Linda Menzel...
Manhattan Beach, CA • 310.867.3859 • lindakmenzel@yahoo.com
Highly accomplished general counsel who drives global business expansion and revenue for fashion
and lifestyle companies. An agile contributor and valued member of senior leadership teams,
proficient in all aspects of business and contract law, tapped repeatedly to facilitate highly
profitable deals that leverage brand attributes and market recognition. Adept at negotiating,
authoring and executing complex transactions, including celebrity contracts on behalf of some of
the most widely recognized brand icons in the world. Keen business acumen, deep subject matter
expertise, and broad industry exposure combine with an engaging and compelling personal style to
deliver results in key performance areas.
§ Global Expansion – As associate general counsel for Playboy, closed more than 200 licensing deals,
totaling nearly $100M in guaranteed annual royalties, representing a dramatic increase in revenue; grew
licensing business in existing markets and enabled company entrée into previously untapped or
underdeveloped markets.
§ Complex Transactions – Handled numerous complex, multimillion-dollar legal deals, including mergers,
acquisitions, joint ventures, equity transactions, recapitalizations, reorganizations and divestitures of business
entities and divisions of all sizes, resulting in increased revenues and global activities for clients.
§ Team and Organizational Leadership – Handpicked at Playboy to recruit and lead legal licensing team
and forged cross-functional relationships, leading to faster, more complete, thoughtful and effective deals
as well as increased brand market awareness and revenues. Reduced outside counsel costs.
§ Vision and Risk Reduction – Established risk management committee resulting in reduced insurance
premiums and claims; brought distribution center into OSHA compliance, resulting in zero claims/infractions.
Avoided employee grievances and government infractions related to layoffs upon sale of Ed Hardy.
§ Proactive IP Strategy – Strengthened Playboy’s internal compliance with trademark, copyright and imaging
rights and strategically assessed company’s existing IP, resulting in a stronger IP portfolio; strategized and
created highly efficient global anti-counterfeiting processes.
§ Business Acumen and Agility – Absorbed roles of two key company executives, including brand
strategizing and financial analysis and serving as principal contact for partners with respect to day-to-day
operations and issues, saving up to $400K per year and creating greater efficiencies and executable deals
and bolstering revenues.
Legal and Business Expertise for Enabling High Value, Low Risk Outcomes
§ License Agreements
§ Mergers, Acquisitions, Divestitures
§ Joint Ventures
§ Manufacturing, Supply and Distribution
Agreements
§ Talent / Model and Photography Releases
§ Agency and Marketing Arrangements
§ Confidentiality and ND Agreements
§ Consulting Agreements
§ Real Estate and Equipment Leases
§ Stock Restriction Agreements
§ Buy / Sell Agreements
§ Talent / Celebrity Endorsement Arrangements
§ Marketing / Advertising Materials
§ Land-Based Venue Agreements
§ Intellectual Property / Brand Protection
Leveraging Corporate Assets and Brand Attributes to Drive Growth
PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC. – Global media and lifestyle company with primary business segments consisting of media and
licensing IP for use with consumer goods, venues and events. Beverly Hills, CA
ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL, VICE PRESIDENT - LICENSING BUSINESS AFFAIRS, 2012 – Present
Recruited to provide legal and operational leadership in growing branding and licensing as company’s business
model was transitioning from print to digital and company wanted to bolster revenue from licensing and
reestablishing its iconic brand. Built a high performing team, and currently oversee all legal affairs worldwide for
three main licensing categories - consumer products, gaming and land-based entertainment - representing more
CORPORATE AND MARKET PERFORMANCE
THROUGH LEGAL INSIGHT AND STRATEGY

2. Linda Menzel Page 2
than $100M in revenue and as many as 200 licensees globally. Negotiate and structure wide range of business
transactions, enforce contracts, manage licensee relationships, and mediate conflicts. Collaborate closely with
marketing and design in ensuring compliance and protecting the brand. Licensees include ecommerce and
physical retail stores. Support global business development directors. Manage outside counsel for licensing and
trademarks, agreement recordals, customs and anti-counterfeiting. Supervise rights and permissions for IP assets.
§ Closed more than 200 deals, totaling nearly $100M in guaranteed annual royalties, representing a dramatic
increase in licensing revenue.
§ Grew licensing business in existing markets and enabled company entrée into previously untapped or
underdeveloped markets.
§ Forged cross-functional relationships throughout the company, increasing information access and accuracy,
leading to faster, more complete and effective deals.
§ Reduced reliance on and associated cost of outside counsel.
§ Strengthened internal compliance with trademark, copyright and imaging rights.
§ Negotiated and closed collaborations with highly regarded brands (including Dolce & Gabbana, Marc
Jacobs, Supreme, Hello Kitty, Beats, Selima Optique and Cushnie et Ochs) and terminated 80 partners in lower
tiered distribution channels, increasing brand reception and positioning company for rebranding.
§ Authored agreements with global industry agents that contributed millions in incremental revenue.
NERVOUS TATTOO, INC. d/b/a ED HARDY, CHRISTIAN AUDIGIER, INC., and affiliates, Designer, distributor and
supplier of apparel and other consumer products. Culver City, CA
GENERAL COUNSEL AND CORPORATE SECRETARY, 2008 – 2012
Recruited by CEO of prior employer as key member of leadership team to prepare the Ed Hardy brand for sale and
to strengthen company’s legal and administrative capabilities while providing day-to-day oversight of business and
legal affairs. Identified and analyzed legal issues, negotiated and drafted key documents, made
recommendations, assured compliance and advised leadership on wide range of legal matters. Managed leases
and drafted and enforced policies and procedures for 42 owned and operated retail stores. Co-managed
international retail store and product licensees. Oversaw compliance and content for ecommerce. Approved all
product designs and marketing/advertising materials. Trained and supervised internal legal department; chose and
managed outside counsel and legal budget. Handled all corporate governance and compliance, and supported
board of directors. Assisted with business development for generating brand recognition and revenue.
§ Led all legal aspects of sale of the Ed Hardy brand at four times multiple to a public company, without outside
counsel, minimizing legal fees.
§ Overhauled HR department (1,000 employees at the companies’ peak), ensuring compliance and updating
handbooks, policies and procedures.
§ Lowered insurance premiums 10% and reduced claims.
§ Relaunched ecommerce, generating millions of dollars in additional revenue.
§ Brought distribution center into compliance with OSHA, resulting in zero claims/infractions.
§ Saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in lease payments related to leases not acquired by Ed Hardy
purchaser.
§ Avoided employee grievances and government infractions related to layoffs upon sale of Ed Hardy.
CYGNE DESIGNS, INC., DIVERSIFIED APPAREL RESOURCES, LLC and affiliates, $100M revenue publicly traded
manufacturer, designer and supplier of branded and private label denim products. Commerce, CA and Beverly Hills, CA
GENERAL COUNSEL AND CORPORATE SECRETARY, 2005 – 2008
Recruited based on expertise in litigation, corporate transactions, and public company securities to assist the
company with going public, as well as to lead all legal activities in support of ongoing business. As integral member
and advisor to senior leadership, provided insight on legal matters and responded to legal challenges as necessary.
Handled company IP and managed litigation with outside counsel. Managed legal department budget. Handled
all corporate governance and compliance, and supported board of directors. Handled all securities law and other
public matters, including SEC filings and compliance. Oversaw real estate leases.
§ Led all legal aspects of reverse triangular merger of privately held company into public company.

3. Linda Menzel Page 3
§ Managed wind-down of manufacturing facility in Mexico when manufacturing shifted to Asia; ensured
compliance with labor rules and regulations with zero employee grievances or government infractions.
§ Negotiated private label agreements with major retailers including Target and JCPenney, generating a 15%
increase in revenues.
§ Slashed storage costs by almost $1M annually by consolidating distribution to one distribution center.
§ Reduced outside counsel costs due to insourcing of virtually all transactional work, resulting in savings of over
$250K per year in outside counsel fees.
§ Instrumental in launching master feeder structure hedge fund focusing on investments in the apparel industry
and real estate, resulting in increased revenues for company affiliates.
QUARLES & BRADY, LLP – 800-attorney full service firm serving wide range of clients globally. Milwaukee, WI
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, 1998 – 2005
Brought in as litigator and transferred in 2000 to corporate services group, providing transactional and general
corporate legal advice to privately and publicly held clients. Initially supported complex commercial litigation
matters. Subsequently assisted with complex, multimillion-dollar legal transactions, including mergers, acquisitions,
joint ventures, equity transactions, recapitalizations, reorganizations and divestitures of business entities and divisions
of all sizes. Advised businesses on formation, governance and compliance matters. Prepared securities law filings
and provided legal counsel regarding securities law compliance matters and the requirements of the newly passed
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Attended client board of directors meetings as acting Assistant Secretary. Served on
firm’s SOX advisory and recruiting committees.
§ Played integral in role in Philip Morris Companies Inc.’s agreement to merge client Miller Brewing Company into
South African Breweries to form the world's second-largest brewer; transaction had implied value of
approximately $5.6B, including $3.6B in stock and $2B in Miller Brewing Company debt.
§ Key member of team that led sale of client Don Massey Group, the largest group of Cadillac dealerships with
revenues of $1B at the time, to Sonic Automotive.
§ Significant participant in client Briggs & Stratton Corporation’s stock purchase of the consumer product division
of Generac Portable Products, Inc. for total consideration of $270M.
§ Prepared brief resulting in summary dismissal of client component parts manufacturer in gold mine commercial
litigation case.
GIMBEL, REILLY, GUERIN & BROWN – Boutique litigation firm. Milwaukee, WI
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, 1996 – 1998
LEGAL CLERK, 1994 – 1996
Assisted with all aspects of commercial litigation matters, including researching and drafting motions and briefs,
deposition preparation, document review and production, client interviews and assisting at hearings and trials.
Education
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL, Milwaukee, WI
JD, 1996 * Top 10%, Cum Laude * Associate Editor, Marquette Law Review * Law Clerk to Hon. Franklyn Crivello,
Milwaukee County Circuit Court (Summer 1995)
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON, Madison, WI
BA in Behavioral Science and Law, 1992
Affiliations
Member, State Bar of California
Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
Member, National Bar Association
Member of Board of Directors and Secretary, My Vision Foundation, a non-profit corporation