Jeff Modisett
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey A. Modisett is the former attorney general
of the U. S. State of Indiana
and county prosecuting attorney of Marion County, Indiana
who has worked as an independent legal consultant and is currently a lawyer specializing in emerging high-technology companies while maintaining an affiliation with an international law firm
.
for the State of Indiana (1996–2000), Marion County (IN)
Prosecuting Attorney (1991–1994), and Deputy Chief of the Public Corruption & Government Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
(1982–88).
Elected as Indiana attorney general in November 1996, Modisett became involved in two national efforts: the states’ legal battle against the country’s top cigarette
manufacturers and the investigation of the sweepstakes
industry.
He was a member of the 1997 states' negotiating team that reached a preliminary settlement, the Master Settlement Agreement
with the tobacco industry
which called for historic changes in the conduct of tobacco advertising
in the United States. He was chairman of the 1998 Allocation Committee which was responsible for devising a formula for distributing the $205 billion settlement to each of the participating states and territories.
In 1998 and 1999, Modisett helped lead the states’ effort to reform the sweepstakes industry to better protect consumers, especially the elderly. He was voted one of the top lawyers in Indiana by Indianapolis Monthly
magazine and, more recently, one of California’s "Superlawyers" by Los Angeles and Law & Politics magazines.
As Marion County Prosecutor
he led the investigation and prosecution of the former heavyweight boxing champion, Mike Tyson
. Other major prosecutions include U.S. v. Althea Flynt
(wife of Hustler Magazine publisher; assault).
Modisett was Chairman of the Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana (1989–2000), and the Governor’s Council of Impaired and Dangerous Driving (1989–2000). He also served as President of the Family Advocacy Center (Marion County, Ind.) (1991–1994), and the Hoosier Alliance Against Drugs (1993–95).
of the 2000 Democratic National Convention
in Los Angeles
and co-CEO of TechNet
, a political lobbying organization.
(Los Angeles office) where he serves as an advisor to Fortune 500
and high-technology companies on a number of issues including antitrust
, consumer protection
, privacy
and political relationships. Modisett specializes in resolving complex legal problems prior to litigation and has worked as an independent consultant specializing in state and federal government relations. He is a co-founder of Civility Funds, a pro-social index fund, and an advisor to Accelify, Inc., and eTherapi.com.
Modisett graduated from UCLA; attended Worcester College, Oxford as a Marshall Scholar where he completed an MA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; and obtained his law degree from the Yale Law School.
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of the U. S. State of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
and county prosecuting attorney of Marion County, Indiana
Marion County, Indiana
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 903,393, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country, greater than the population of six states. The county seat is Indianapolis, the state capital and...
who has worked as an independent legal consultant and is currently a lawyer specializing in emerging high-technology companies while maintaining an affiliation with an international law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
.
State Attorney's offices
Modisett was attorney generalAttorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
for the State of Indiana (1996–2000), Marion County (IN)
Marion County, Indiana
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 903,393, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country, greater than the population of six states. The county seat is Indianapolis, the state capital and...
Prosecuting Attorney (1991–1994), and Deputy Chief of the Public Corruption & Government Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(1982–88).
Elected as Indiana attorney general in November 1996, Modisett became involved in two national efforts: the states’ legal battle against the country’s top cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
manufacturers and the investigation of the sweepstakes
Sweepstakes
The United States consumer sales promotion known as a sweepstake has become associated with marketing promotions targeted toward both generating enthusiasm and providing incentive reactions among customers by enticing consumers to submit free entries into drawings of chance...
industry.
He was a member of the 1997 states' negotiating team that reached a preliminary settlement, the Master Settlement Agreement
Master Settlement Agreement
The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was entered in November 1998, originally between the four largest US tobacco companies and the attorneys general of 46 states...
with the tobacco industry
Tobacco industry
The tobacco industry comprises those persons and companies engaged in the growth, preparation for sale, shipment, advertisement, and distribution of tobacco and tobacco-related products. It is a global industry; tobacco can grow in any warm, moist environment, which means it can be farmed on all...
which called for historic changes in the conduct of tobacco advertising
Tobacco advertising
Tobacco advertising is the advertising of tobacco products or use by the tobacco industry through a variety of media including sponsorship, particularly of sporting events. It is now one of the most highly regulated forms of marketing...
in the United States. He was chairman of the 1998 Allocation Committee which was responsible for devising a formula for distributing the $205 billion settlement to each of the participating states and territories.
In 1998 and 1999, Modisett helped lead the states’ effort to reform the sweepstakes industry to better protect consumers, especially the elderly. He was voted one of the top lawyers in Indiana by Indianapolis Monthly
Indianapolis Monthly
Indianapolis Monthly is a magazine published in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1973 by Michael R. Levy, Indianapolis Monthly brings readers information on every facet of Indianapolis life, including arts and entertainment, fashion, real estate, business, dining, education, travel, politics,...
magazine and, more recently, one of California’s "Superlawyers" by Los Angeles and Law & Politics magazines.
As Marion County Prosecutor
Prosecutor
The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
he led the investigation and prosecution of the former heavyweight boxing champion, Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
. Other major prosecutions include U.S. v. Althea Flynt
Althea Flynt
Althea Flynt , née Leasure, was the fourth wife of Larry Flynt and the co-publisher of Flynt's adult pornography magazine, Hustler....
(wife of Hustler Magazine publisher; assault).
Modisett was Chairman of the Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana (1989–2000), and the Governor’s Council of Impaired and Dangerous Driving (1989–2000). He also served as President of the Family Advocacy Center (Marion County, Ind.) (1991–1994), and the Hoosier Alliance Against Drugs (1993–95).
Corporate
Modisett resigned his position of attorney general in 2000 to become the Deputy CEO & General CounselGeneral Counsel
A general counsel is the chief lawyer of a legal department, usually in a corporation or government department. The term is most used in the United States...
of the 2000 Democratic National Convention
2000 Democratic National Convention
The 2000 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention for the Democratic Party. The convention nominated Vice President Al Gore as its candidate for President and Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman as its candidate for Vice President. The convention was held at...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and co-CEO of TechNet
TechNet (lobbying organization)
TechNet is a United States political lobbying organization which represents public policy interests for technology issues. TechNet operates through a network of CEOs and Senior Executives to promote the growth of technology and the innovation economy...
, a political lobbying organization.
Current
Modisett is currently the Chief Legal Officer of LOYAL3, a start-up company in San Francisco that provides a technology platform for online consumer stock ownership. He is also Senior Counsel at the international law firm of SNR DentonSNR Denton
SNR Denton is an international law firm co-headquartered in London, United Kingdom and Washington, D.C., United States. The firm operates in 60 locations across 43 countries and has around 1,250 lawyers...
(Los Angeles office) where he serves as an advisor to Fortune 500
Fortune 500
The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published by Fortune magazine that ranks the top 500 U.S. closely held and public corporations as ranked by their gross revenue after adjustments made by Fortune to exclude the impact of excise taxes companies collect. The list includes publicly and...
and high-technology companies on a number of issues including antitrust
Antitrust
The United States antitrust law is a body of laws that prohibits anti-competitive behavior and unfair business practices. Antitrust laws are intended to encourage competition in the marketplace. These competition laws make illegal certain practices deemed to hurt businesses or consumers or both,...
, consumer protection
Consumer protection
Consumer protection laws designed to ensure fair trade competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. The laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors and may provide additional...
, privacy
Privacy law
Privacy law refers to the laws which deal with the regulation of personal information about individuals which can be collected by governments and other public as well as private organizations and its storage and use....
and political relationships. Modisett specializes in resolving complex legal problems prior to litigation and has worked as an independent consultant specializing in state and federal government relations. He is a co-founder of Civility Funds, a pro-social index fund, and an advisor to Accelify, Inc., and eTherapi.com.
Publications and lectures
- "Prosecuting Mike TysonMike TysonMichael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
: Boxing with the Media," Ethnographies of Law and Social Control: Sociology of Crime, Law and Deviance, Vol. 6, pp. 145–163 (ed., Dr. S. L. Burns) 2005; - "The States and Gaming: A Brief Look at the Past, Present, and Future Through the Eyes of a Former Attorney General," 6 Gaming Law Review 197, 2002;
- "Cyberlaw and E-Commerce: A State Attorney General’s Perspective," 94 Northwestern L. Rev. 642, 2000; and "Discovering the Impact of the ‘New Federalism’ on State Policy Makers: A State Attorney General’s Perspective," 32 Ind. L. Rev. 141, 1998.
- In 1999, he was the McGovern Lecturer at Ball State UniversityBall State UniversityBall State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
where he spoke on "The Ethics of Tobacco Lawyering: Evaluating the Hunter and the Hunted," April 13, 1999.
Modisett graduated from UCLA; attended Worcester College, Oxford as a Marshall Scholar where he completed an MA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; and obtained his law degree from the Yale Law School.
See also
- Bryan CaveBryan CaveBryan Cave LLP is an international law firm with twenty-one offices worldwide, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.- Overview :The international law firm Bryan Cave LLP dates back to 1873 in St. Louis. Founded in 1873 in St. Louis as King, Phillips and Stewart, the firm became Stewart, Bryan,...
LLP