Elna Santos

About Elna Santos

Strategic, business-oriented Senior Legal Executive with 20+ years of experience advising private and global companies across manufacturing, consumer products, and regulated industries. I partner closely with CEOs and executive leadership teams to manage enterprise risk, enable growth, and translate complex legal issues into practical business solutions.Currently serving as General Counsel and Interim Chief Legal Officer for a global private company, with responsibility for governance, commercial strategy, M&A support, compliance, IP, ESG, insurance/risk transfer, and legal operations. I’ve led legal teams through periods of growth, transformation, and disruption—modernizing legal functions, reducing cost and cycle time, and protecting enterprise value while supporting innovation and global expansion.My background spans senior in-house leadership roles and early-career private practice advising private equity sponsors and operating companies. I bring a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to legal leadership, with deep experience in complex transactions, regulatory and competition matters, crisis management, and building trusted relationships across the business.I’m particularly energized by private-company environments where legal can serve as a strategic partner to leadership—balancing risk, speed, and long-term value creation.

Experience

1. General Counsel

   Jacuzzi Group

   Oct 2024 — Present · Chino, CA, US

   Senior legal executive reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a core member of the executive leadership team for a private equity–backed global manufacturing and commercial organization.• Lead the global in-house legal function, providing strategic and operational counsel across commercial transactions, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and enterprise transformation.• Oversee all commercial contracting and negotiations across business units, supporting global sales, supply chain, procurement, and strategic initiatives.• Lead global compliance and regulatory programs, including competition/antitrust, data privacy & security, advertising and marketing compliance, and industry-specific regulatory matters.• Own enterprise risk management (ERM) and global insurance programs, advising executive leadership and the board on risk mitigation and governance.• Oversee intellectual property, brand protection, and marketing review, safeguarding global brands and managing IP portfolios across multiple jurisdictions.• Serve as corporate officer and board member for multiple domestic and international entities, supporting governance, restructuring, and corporate transactions.

Education

• UCLA

  BA, Sociology

  1997 — 2001

• American University Washington College of Law

  JD

  2001 — 2004

Skills

• Data Privacy
• Consumer Package Goods
• Antitrust Law
• Legal Research
• People Development
• Management
• People Management
• Litigation Support
• Corporate Law
• Legal Advice
• Research
• Legal Compliance
• Corporate Finance
• Legal Affairs
• Sports Marketing
• Human Resources
• Athlete Marketing
• Event Planning
• Communication
• Sponsorship Negotiations
• Business Strategy
• Marketing
• Corporate Sponsorships
• Contract Negotiation
• Contract Law
• Organization Skills
• Legal Advisory
• Legal Contract Review
• Entertainment Law
• Beverage Industry
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Foodservice Distribution
• Negotiation
• Multitasking
• Sales
• Project Finance
• Competition Law
• Food & Beverage
• Consumer Goods