Elaine is a dynamic executive with broad experience in information technology, advertising, and the public sector. She has held the role of general counsel and developed extensive knowledge of communications, intellectual property, and regulatory issues within diverse industries. Elaine chaired the 4 A’s legal committee, and led advertising industry coalitions on advertising directed to children, over-the-counter drug advertising, and food advertising.
Elaine’s private sector experience includes serving for more than 20 years at Ogilvy & Mather in senior roles including as Executive Vice-President and General Counsel. In that position she testified before the FTC, FCC, and other federal government agencies, on behalf of industry-wide issues such as advertising directed to children. She also trained the agency’s staff and clients on advertising legal issues such as copyright, trademark, and regulatory compliance.
Elaine has also worked as the Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel for the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, where she negotiated major telecom agreements and conducted public hearings throughout the five boroughs.
In addition she served as Senior Vice President and Director of the National Advertising Division, Council of Better Business Bureaus, where she spearheaded the advertising agency’s self-regulatory unit. Elaine selected cases, raised funds, and served as chief public spokesperson on behalf of advertising industry self-regulation.
Elaine also currently serves as Chairman of the Administrative Law Committee for the NYC Bar Association, and is active in the NYC Civil Rights Coalition, NY State Division for Women, and ABA . She holds a Master of Laws in Trade Regulation from NYU Law School and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Columbia University.
