Scott Becker has been appointed deputy general counsel at Santa Ana-based Collectors Holdings Inc., a company recognized for authenticating and grading sports cards, Pokémon cards, memorabilia, coins, and other collectibles. Becker began his new position on September 15.
Becker noted that opportunities for top in-house legal positions in Orange County are competitive, with many qualified attorneys and limited openings. He expressed surprise when a recruiter he knew contacted him about the deputy general counsel role at Collectors.
Collectors has a history dating back to 1986 when it began grading coins. In 2021, an investor group led by Nat Turner acquired the company in an $853 million transaction, after which Collectors has made substantial investments in technology, facilities, and international expansion.
Prior to joining Collectors, Becker was general counsel and corporate secretary at Willow Innovations, a Silicon Valley-based wearable breast pump manufacturer. Though he was not actively seeking a new role, Becker found the opportunity at Collectors compelling after meeting with General Counsel Roxana Jamshidi and other company representatives. Becker said that discussions made him "more and more excited about the company, the opportunity, and his role specifically."
After his first week, Becker highlighted the expertise and energy of his new colleagues, and their dedication to the collectors they serve. He expressed enthusiasm for being part of the team and for the company's future endeavors. Becker will serve as the No. 2 executive in a legal team of about seven, reporting to Jamshidi. His responsibilities will include helping to support the company as it scales, focusing on the "corporate side of the house." He also plans to help mentor and expand the legal department.
Becker brings experience from his previous role at Willow, where he led financing and M&A transactions, and from his work quarter-backing Irvine-based Vizio’s 2021 initial public offering. Given Collectors' rapid expansion, Becker stated that "the legal team is going to have to grow pretty significantly to keep pace. Collecting is really having a moment."
Before his move, Becker had been recognized last year with a Business Journal General Counsel Award in the Rising Star category for his work at Willow. His achievements there included engineering the acquisition of assets from U.K.-based rival Elvie, a complex transaction that stemmed from a patent infringement dispute and expanded Willow’s product portfolio and international reach. He also assisted Willow in filing a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against companies allegedly infringing patents related to its wearable breast pump technology. Becker indicated that Willow invented the wearable category and invested in foundational intellectual property in the space.
Becker will continue to consult for Willow, primarily providing strategic advice on the ITC cases and helping to preserve institutional knowledge during its leadership transition. In addition to his new professional responsibilities, Becker is adjusting to a change in his daily routine. Having worked remotely from his Costa Mesa home since the pandemic, his commute to Collectors’ Santa Ana headquarters marks his first regular office commute in several years. Becker anticipates a demanding schedule in the coming months.
