Operating in the Gray: Balancing Risk Tolerance with Business Objectives

Elizabeth Barton is a Managing Deputy General Counsel for the Board of Education of the City of Chicago with responsibility for overseeing three legal practice area groups in the Board’s law department: Litigation (state, federal, and administrative agencies), Transactions/Contracts, and Investigations. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, Elizabeth advises the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, and district senior leadership on organizational and risk management strategies, their implementation, and legal strategy. Prior to her current role, for 4 years, Elizabeth managed a team of lawyers who represents the Board in federal litigation, defending claims involving employment discrimination, due process, civil rights, Title IX, and special education. In that role, Elizabeth acted as first chair in higher-profile cases and obtained defense verdicts in three federal trials. Prior to joining the Board, Elizabeth spent 11 years in private practice representing a variety of local government entities across Illinois such as police departments, school districts, and park districts. Elizabeth is on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

Betty Jang is an executive leader with extensive experience in private and public companies. With a keen focus on strategy and results, she has played a crucial role in driving success for companies from seed to growth to exit. With deep experience in fast-paced environments, she has a proven ability to evaluate, negotiate, and execute in various areas, such as buy-side and sell-side transactions, raising non-dilutive funding, post-IPO requirements, commercial contracts, and complex investigations with FINRA, DOJ, and federal/state OIG.

Through her change management initiatives, Betty has revolutionized operations, spearheading a company-wide compliance program that resulted in a 90% reduction in inefficiencies. Her innovative contract management program eliminated a $16.1 million backlog, streamlining business prioritization and accountability.

In her role as a proactive collaborator, Betty has been instrumental in driving cost savings of approximately $2 million by fostering strong partnerships with business stakeholders, implementing innovative fee structures, developing a proactive employment and risk management program, and deploying effective litigation strategies.

Member of senior executive team formulating and implementing corporate strategy with $5M P&L ownership of eight -person Legal Department. Responsible for all aspects of corporate governance, M&A, commercial, litigation, regulatory, technology/IP and labor/employment/benefits practice areas as well as ethics & compliance program.

Shea earned her Bachelors of Arts in English and Education and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Heather Nevitt is the Editor-in-Chief of Corporate Counsel, Inside Counsel and Global Leaders in Law. Heather brings Valuable content to the various publications sites she manages while building communities and developing new event ideas to engage readers.

Heather joined ALM in 2005 and was the Editor-in-Chief of Texas Lawyer. Before joining ALM, she practiced law and earned her JD from Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing, Michigan.