Manatt adds Jennifer Millard, Kalon Gutierrez, and Farnaz Alemi to digital practice
Manatt, an LA-headquartered law and consulting firm, has added Jennifer Millard and Kalon Gutierrez as managing directors and Farnaz Alemi as a partner in the firm’s digital and technology group.
The three seasoned professionals will boost the business and compliance consulting capabilities of Manatt's digital and technology group, which provides legal, regulatory, and consulting services to clients in media, entertainment, technology, and advertising.
Millard and Gutierrez join Manatt from Sanctum Insights, a boutique strategy firm they jointly formed. The Austin-based firm catered to consumer businesses and tech companies that service the consumer and retail segment.
Millard has more than 25 years of experience in omnichannel retail technology and financial services innovation. She has previously served as CRO of GetUpside, an AI-powered firm that personalizes brick-and-mortar commerce; VP of global business development – loyalty at MasterCard; CRO at Truaxis Inc., a personalized services platform for financial institutions and merchants; and EVP of strategy and new business development at Zoom Systems.
Earlier in her career, Millard was SVP of stores at Saks Fifth Avenue, director of retail operations at Bed Bath and Beyond, and director of store operations at Sears, Roebuck and Co. She holds a BA from Colby College.
Gutierrez is a strategist and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience. He has co-founded three companies and advised startups and Fortune 500s on technology, go-to-market, growth, and innovation initiatives.
Gutierrez previously co-founded Nomadic, an immersive entertainment company that provides VR experiences; DayOne Baby, an expert-led parental support network; and Bixbee, a designer backpack and accessories company for children.
He also previously served as an executive director in the consumer and retail technology practice of recruitment firm Russell Reynolds Associates; VP of business development at JCPenney; and VP of new business development at Zoom Systems;
Earlier in his career, Gutierrez was a senior consultant at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting (now Accenture). He holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a BA from the University of California, San Diego.
Alemi brings extensive litigation, in-house, and consulting experience to Manatt, with a focus on intellectual property, brand strategy, risk management, digital, and innovation. She previously spent three years at PwC, where she was a strategic technologies director working with entertainment, media, and internet clients.
Before that, Alemi spent five years at the Motion Picture Association, where she served as global content protection counsel. In the role, she led worldwide strategy to protect the IP rights of the MPA’s six studio members.
Alemi also previously spent six years as an attorney in the media and entertainment practices of law firms Jenner & Block and Latham & Watkins. She holds a JD from Northwestern University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University.
“Jennifer, Kalon, and Farnaz have all worked at the forefront of the digital revolution, where they have proven track records of helping both the disruptors and disrupted build brands, protect their assets, and navigate the increasingly complex digital world,” said Donna Wilson, Manatt’s CEO and managing partner. “With the events of the last 12 months, now more than ever, our clients are seeking hybridized consulting and legal solutions as they navigate the acceleration of digital, business, and legal trends. Jennifer, Kalon, and Farnaz will be instrumental as we continue to develop these innovative strategies for our clients.”
