Ryan Lawson

About Ryan Lawson

With a passion for connecting businesses and simplifying complex systems, I have built a career on bridging gaps between organizations, large and small. I excel in ambiguous roles and in creating efficient processes in white spaces, always taking into account the larger environment in which they operate. I understand the necessity of rules and processes, but I believe in minimizing bureaucracy to foster innovation.Throughout my projects, I emphasize the importance of ethical behavior, inclusivity, and diverse perspectives. I find that global, multicultural teams outperform their homogeneous counterparts. As a manager, I focus on building the best team possible, providing direction and resources, and empowering competent professionals to make informed business decisions.I am committed to the professional development and growth of my team members. As a lifelong learner, I strive to create opportunities for growth, ensuring that my team remains engaged and invested in the organization\'s success.

Experience

1. Director and Counsel, Joint Ventures, Alliances, and Partnerships

   Ford Motor Company

   Apr 2023 — Present

   Drafts and negotiates joint venture, alliance, and partnership operational agreements.Manages a global team responsible for integration, and deal execution, and ongoing relationship management for global joint ventures and partnerships.Solves data integration issues related to IP, privacy, anti-trust, and regulatory compliance for all of Ford’s joint ventures, partnerships, and alliances.Created strategy and operations plan for Blue Oval Battery Park Michigan to reduce partner risk.Created new joint venture in China to accelerate Ford’s Electric Vehicle sales strategy.

Education

• Cooley Law School

  Master of Laws, Corporate Law and Finance

  2011 — 2012

• Cooley Law School

  J.D., Law

  2004 — 2008

• Michigan Technological University

  B.S., Scientific and Technical Communication

  1997 — 2001

Skills

• IT Service Management
• Educational Technology
• Business Management
• Research
• Budgeting
• Outsourcing
• Auctions
• Risk Management
• Charity Events
• IT Strategy
• Licensing
• Start-Up Consulting
• Event Planning
• Technology Planning
• Networking
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Contract Negotiation
• Start-Ups
• Legal Advice
• Budgets
• Legal Research
• Proposal Writing
• Leadership
• Event Management
• Strategic Planning
• Negotiation
• Audio Mixing
• Team Leadership
• Legal Writing
• Education
• Program Management
• Project Management
• IT Operations
• Business Process Improvement
• Strategy
• Public Speaking
• Management
• Vendor Management
• Contract Management
• IT Governance