ATCHISON, KAS. – Attorney Thomas “T.J.” Lynn has been appointed to a newly created position, general counsel and corporate secretary, at MGP Ingredients. Mr. Lynn specializes in counseling senior management teams and boards of directors of companies, both publicly held and privately held.
Mr. Lynn became familiar with MGP Ingredients through his work at the Kansas City-based law firm Stinson Leonard Street L.L.P., where he became a partner in 2008. He led corporate finance and merger and acquisition transactions for regional and national clients.
“As part of the continued growth and evolution of MGP, we created the position of general counsel,” said Dave Rindom, vice-president and chief administrative officer of Atchison-based MGP Ingredients. “This role will allow us to insource some of our legal needs, improving both the efficiency and effectiveness of the company’s legal function.”
As general counsel, Mr. Lynn will be responsible for commercial matters, litigation oversight, environmental matters, corporate compliance obligations, intellectual property and labor/employment laws, contracts and day-to-day legal matters. Corporate secretary responsibilities will include counseling the board and senior management on matters relating to relevant federal and state securities laws, and assuring compliance with applicable corporate government requirements and best practices in conjunction with outside counsel.
“As a critical member of our executive leadership team, T.J. will perform an important role in supporting MGP’s business goals and commitment to growth by providing counsel on issues of overarching importance to the company,” Mr. Rindom said. “His previously acquired knowledge of MGP and our business operations is a big plus and will make for a smooth transition to his new position here.”
Mr. Lynn received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Kansas in 1995 and a juris doctorate with honors at the University of Chicago Law School in 1999. He began practicing law as an associate attorney with Mayer Brown in Chicago in 1999 and then served as an associate attorney with the Bryan Cave L.L.P. law firm in Kansas City from 2001 to 2008.
“I am thrilled and honored to join MGP,” Mr. Lynn said. “I look forward to engaging in this new opportunity to more directly support the company’s strategic initiatives. MGP is positioning itself for long-term growth, and I’m excited to help drive the company’s success.”
