Kid Brands edits executive legal team
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Kid Brands, Inc. has appointed Jodie Simon Friedman as the company’s VP, general counsel and corporate secretary. She replaces Marc Goldfarb, who resigned his position as general counsel and corporate secretary to pursue other opportunities.
Goldfarb has agreed to remain available to the company as a consultant providing legal services.
Friedman has nearly 25 years of experience providing corporate legal counsel. She most recently served as VP, deputy general counsel and assistant secretary at International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. In this position, Friedman provided counsel to executive management and business functions regarding corporate governance and SEC rules, major transactions, commercial agreements, executive compensation, employment law, regulatory matters and compliance. Previously, Friedman served in roles of increasing responsibility at Warner-Lambert Company, rising to the position of assistant general counsel of pharmaceuticals for Europe and Latin America, where she served as a senior business lawyer with an emphasis on international joint venture and business advisory work. She began her career at Coudert Brothers as a member of the mergers and acquisitions and securities practice teams. Friedman earned her juris doctorate from the Columbia University School of Law and her bachelor's degree from Brown University. She is a member of the New York State Bar.
"I join with Kerry Carr, our chief operating officer and CFO, in welcoming Jodie to our executive team. Jodie is an experienced corporate lawyer and a business professional who has extensive experience providing counsel on a broad range of corporate legal matters in areas relevant to our business, including foreign trade, commercial and financial agreements and compliance. We are confident that her unique skill set will be a valuable asset as we move forward in executing our business strategy," said Raphael Benaroya, president and CEO.
"I am very excited to join Kid Brands as the company works to progress on its key objectives designed to transform and improve the business. I look forward to working with such a highly energized and talented leadership team, and to help contribute productively to the company's growth agenda," said Friedman.
"Marc is a highly capable executive and professional lawyer who has been a great asset to Kid Brands, having provided valuable counsel to the Board and to management throughout the past eight years,” added Benaroya regarding Goldfarb's resignation. “He skillfully led the company through a number of complex legal matters, while also supporting us as the company instituted a tremendous amount of change and restructuring activities. On behalf of the board of directors and everyone at Kid Brands, I thank Marc for his contributions and dedication to the company and its shareholders during his years of service, and wish him well in his future pursuits. We also look forward to working with Marc as he continues to provide legal services to the company."
"I have enjoyed immensely my eight years working with Kid Brands and am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the company's many talented professionals,” said Goldfarb. “Kid Brands continues to work diligently on the initiatives the team has been implementing to transform the business."