Biography
Kathy Ford has over 30 years of broad-based legal, regulatory, compliance and governance experience. A former federal prosecutor and experienced commercial litigator, she has 20 years of in-house experience for both public and privately held corporations and serves clients as a proactive, solutions-oriented strategic legal and business advisor.
Kathy has extensive experience with privacy issues, employment law, complex commercial litigation, customer incident/general liability litigation, intellectual property litigation, contract negotiation, corporate governance and risk management. She draws on two decades of experience strategizing with senior corporate leadership and other key internal stakeholders to develop policies and procedures that maximize growth and business opportunities while maintaining rigorous risk management practices.
Kathy has also structured and negotiated a wide range of contracts including nondisclosure agreements, complex purchase and sale agreements, licensing agreements and facility sale and lease agreements. Having worked on numerous M&A transactions in the billion-dollar value range, Kathy is highly skilled at conducting due diligence, preparing data rooms, negotiating agreements, facilitating transition services and managing integration process following the completion of deals.
Further, Kathy has experience evaluating and analyzing significant state and federal legislation/regulations and developing strategic implementation and compliance plans. She has responded to and provided oversight of a wide range of labor and human resource proceedings, including worker’s compensation claims, internal complaints and investigations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration inquiries and Department of Justice/Federal Trade Commission document requests. She also has experience with standardizing and updating employee manuals and human resource policies and procedures, conducting internal audits and investigations, and providing advice and counsel on other employment-related matters. Kathy has assisted in the development and implementation of corporate governance policies and procedures, as well as led and managed annual compliance processes regarding them.
Services and Industries
- Commercial
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Corporate
- Employment and Labor
- Governance and Compliance
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Internal Investigations and Regulatory Compliance
- Litigation
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Outside Corporate Counsel
- White-Collar Criminal Defense and Government Investigations
- Energy and Utilities
Background
Prior to joining Armstrong Teasdale, Kathy was Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs for one of the largest cable and internet operators in the United States. Her prior experience also includes serving as assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota.
Education
- Auburn University (M.B.A., 2010)
- University of South Dakota School of Law (J.D., 1992)
- First in Class
- University of South Dakota (B.S., 1989)
- Criminal Justice
Admissions
Professional Activities
- South Dakota State Bar (Public Information Committee Chair, 2011-2012)
- Colorado Bar Association
Charitable and Civic Involvement
- America’s Communications Association (Board Member, 2016-2023)
- Freedom Service Dogs of America Board of Directors (Vice Chair, 2013-2016)
- Brandon Community Foundation Board of Directors (Chair, 2011-2012)
- Brandon, South Dakota City Council (Ward I Alderwoman, 2007)