MLA Places General Counsel at the American Psychological Association

Deanne Ottaviano Selected to Lead Legal Team on a Wide Range of Issues in Daily Operations.

New York, N.Y.  (June 27, 2016) — Major, Lindsey & Africa, the world's leading legal search firm, announced the recent placement of Deanne Marie Ottaviano as General Counsel for the American Psychological Association (APA) in Washington, D.C. The search was led by Deborah Ben-Canaan, Partner and Head of Major, Lindsey & Africa's Washington, D.C. in-house practice group.

The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes more than 117,500 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.

Ottaviano, who joins APA from Arent Fox LLP, where she had been a partner and practiced for the past 24 years, has extensive experience as both general counsel and outside counsel for dozens of nonprofit, professional and trade association clients, primarily in the automotive, retail and health care fields. She has represented clients in a variety of contexts, including general commercial matters, insurance recovery and risk management techniques, anti-trust claims and securing governance rights. She was chair of the firm's pro bono committee, and is also immediate past president of the Board of Trustees of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. Ottaviano holds a JD from Georgetown University and has been admitted to the state bars of the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey and Maryland, and to the federal bars of the U.S. Supreme Court, the D.C. Circuit, the 11th Circuit and U.S. District Courts of D.C., Maryland and New Jersey.

"Deanne was the ideal fit for APA's general counsel role as she possesses executive presence, intellectual heft and proven strategic ability," said Deborah Ben-Canaan. "With a strong background in complex general litigation, as well as extensive nonprofit experience dealing with boards and corporate governance issues, Deanne has the interpersonal skills that will enable her to play a critical role for APA as chief legal counsel and a senior adviser on an array of issues."

"I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen at APA's next general counsel and look forward to supporting APA's mission of advancing psychology to improve lives," said Deanne Ottaviano. "I appreciated working with Deborah and her team of professionals who did an excellent job of getting to know their client and this candidate, and of providing thoughtful advice and regular updates throughout the process. And, of course, I am very happy with the result."