MLA Places Josephine Benkers as General Counsel at Old World Industries, LLC

Hanover, MD (November 30, 2021) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, today announced the placement of Josephine Benkers as general counsel and corporate secretary at Old World Industries, LLC in Northbrook, Illinois. The search was conducted by Deborah Ben-Canaan, partner and senior practice leader in Washington, D.C., and Amber Shockey, managing director, in New York, both with MLA’s In-House Counsel Recruiting practice.

Led by flagship brands PEAK, BlueDEF and Final Charge, Old World Industries boasts a nearly 50-year history of American ingenuity developing automotive and heavy-duty products for the most extreme climates and working conditions that equal billions of miles on the road in big rigs and billions of hours of heavy equipment in the mines and on the farm.

Josie will supervise and manage Old World’s legal, regulatory and compliance activities, as well as their corporate secretarial functions. She will guide the company’s domestic and international growth, advise on strategic initiatives, and oversee a team of lawyers supporting the commercial operations.

“It was a pleasure partnering with Old World Industries and Chief Executive Officer Greg Noethlich. The well-known brand’s general counsel search was an exciting opportunity for the Chicago legal community, and we are pleased to have placed Josie Benkers in this strategic role,” said Deborah Ben-Canaan. “Josie is a seasoned leader who comes with over 20 years of experience, including in the consumer products and manufacturing industries, and she will be a strong business partner as the company continues to grow its global footprint,” added Amber Shockey.

Josie most recently served as general counsel at GSM Outdoors, which recently acquired the hunting-side brands of what was formerly Plano Synergy, LLC. Before the acquisition, she was general counsel and corporate secretary of Plano Synergy Holding, a consumer products company that sold under 20 different brands. She began her career with Quarles & Brady LLP as an associate in the litigation department and was later made equity partner in the areas of general commercial and intellectual property litigation. Josie earned her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and her BS. from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.