Executive Committee (Business Law)

Committee Co-Chairs

Tom Pitegoff, Chair

An internationally recognized leader in the franchise field, Thomas Pitegoff counsels international, national, regional and startup franchisors in a variety of industries to structure their franchise systems effectively and comply with state and federal franchise laws. He represents foreign franchisors in their U.S. business and U.S. franchisors expanding abroad. He also acts as general U.S. counsel for foreign companies and he provides outside general counsel services for U.S. companies. Mr. Pitegoff is a former member of the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising, and a former editor of the Franchise Law Journal. He is a frequent writer and speaker on franchise law subjects.

Jessica D. Parker, Vice Chair

Jessica Parker is an experienced corporate-transactional generalist, representing individuals and companies in their formation, counseling them in their business operations and in connection with various types of corporate transactions, helping to ensure their growth and stability. She has worked with for-profit and not-for-profit, public and private entities, understanding the nuances involved with their businesses and operations. After 15 years of practice, Jessica moved over the business side, utilizing her legal skills as a regulatory project manager for Credit Suisse where she collaborates with business and legal partners as well as tax and IT professionals to implement and manage regulatory projects. This position is a continuation of her prior role as contractor for the Asset Management Department’s legal team. Prior to joining Credit Suisse’s legal department as a contractor, Jessica served as the Chief Legal Officer (“CLO”) for a nonprofit organization that works to end violence in intimate relationships and combat the effects of domestic violence and human trafficking on women, men and children. In her role as CLO, Jessica advised the agency on all matters with legal implications including corporate governance, grant and vendor contracts, insurance, risk management, real estate, subpoenas, human resources, operations and policy matters, budgeting, resource development, funding support, strategic planning and external affairs. This experience matured the managerial, leadership, legal, relationship-building and organizational skills Jessica gained through previous years of experience working as a solo practitioner and for large and small law firms, serving the needs of clients in many industries.

David A. Goldstein, Secretary

Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP, East Meadow, New York

Michael A. De Freitas, Esq., Treasurer

MICHAEL A. de FREITAS, Esq. is a member of the firm of William C. Moran & Associates, P.C. in Williamsville, New York. He primarily represents business and not-for-profit organizations in corporate, commercial, tax and tax-exemption, regulatory, and transactional matters. He graduated from College of the Holy Cross and Cornell Law School. He is a member of the Executive and Not-for-Profit Corporation Law Committees of the Business Law Section, chairs the Section’s Legislative Affairs Committee, and has co-chaired Non-Profit Law continuing-education seminars of the Association.