David Rothenstein

Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel; Ciena Corporation

David M. Rothenstein serves as Ciena’s Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel. In this role, he is responsible for leading the company’s strategic planning process and enabling and implementing its corporate strategy, including driving inorganic growth through corporate development activities such as mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and venture capital investments. In his GC capacity, he oversees all of Ciena’s worldwide legal matters, including corporate governance, securities, compliance and ethics, corporate transactions, commercial contracts, intellectual property, litigation and investigations. He is also responsible for managing the government affairs, corporate real estate and sustainability functions. Mr. Rothenstein joined Ciena in 2001, serving in progressively higher roles, including Assistant General Counsel, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, and General Counsel.

Prior to joining Ciena, Mr. Rothenstein practiced law as a principal at the law firm of Paley Rothman in Bethesda, Maryland, where he concentrated his practice in the areas of corporate law, employment law, technology law, and business litigation. Mr. Rothenstein holds a B.A. magna cum laude from Tufts University and a J.D. with honors from The George Washington University Law School.

Sign Up Now

Register Now

Tickets are going fast -- reserve your seat at the JEL Conference today!