Alumni spotlight | Justin Zamparelli

What prompted your move from Withers into an in-house role?

During my time at Withers, I increasingly found myself drawn to work involving multi-generational, family-owned businesses. vineyard vines is one of those businesses. I had known the founders, brothers Shep and Ian Murray, for a long time. Ian and I first met in college and I stayed close with both of them over the years. Withers also started representing vineyard vines on a number of matters, so those ties deepened naturally. 

When the opportunity came up to join in-house, it felt like a natural next step. It was a chance to focus on one brand and one business, and to bring that broader, relationship-led approach I had developed at Withers into an in-house setting.

How did you find the transition from private practise to in-house?

It was definitely a big shift. I joined as the first in-house lawyer, so I wasn’t stepping into an established legal team, I was building the function from scratch. After 16 years in law firms, including 11 at Withers, that was a real adjustment. You don't have other lawyers around you day to day to bounce ideas off in the same way, but the fact I already knew the business and the people did make the transition much easier.

The mindset is different too. In private practice, work can often be transaction oriented. In-house, the focus is much more on long-term relationships and finding solutions that support the long-term health of the business and the brand.

Tell us about your current role.

It’s a broad role and there isn't really a typical day. I’m involved in everything from commercial contracts, licensing and partnerships to technology, supply chain, marketing and finance. A big part of what I do is connecting the dots across the business and helping teams work through issues in a joined-up way. The longer I’ve been at vineyard vines, the more I’ve realized that the role isn’t really about law, it’s about helping the business make good decisions.

 As a member of the leadership team, I’m also fortunate to have a seat at the table for broader business discussions and strategy, which is something I really value. One of the most defining periods of my time here was navigating COVID, when we focused on taking a long-term view and supported our team through an incredibly uncertain time. That experience reinforced just how important culture is to the business.

You’ve worked on a number of partnerships. Are there any that stand out?

Partnerships are a big part of what we do as a brand, and I’ve been fortunate to work on some really memorable ones. One standout is our collaboration with Jeep because it connects so naturally to the vineyard vines origin story. The company was founded  selling ties out of the back of a Jeep on Martha’s Vineyard, so that partnership feels especially authentic to who we are as a brand. For us, that authenticity really matters. The best partnerships are the ones that feel genuine and meaningful for our team and our customers.

What do you enjoy most about working at vineyard vines?

One of the things I enjoy most is working with colleagues across every part of the business, all bringing different expertise but working toward the same goal. 

I’ve had the opportunity to help the company navigate significant growth, changing consumer behavior, digital transformation, and periods of disruption, all while staying true to the culture that made the brand successful in the first place. vineyard vines is built around the idea that 'every day should feel this good'. There's something powerful about working for a brand with that shared sense of purpose.

What advice would you give to someone considering a move in-house?

Think carefully about the business. When you move in-house, everything you do becomes connected to that one organization, so it’s important that the brand, people, and purpose genuinely excite you. 

Relationships matter enormously too. Building strong relationships before making the move, particularly if it’s a client you’ve worked with, can make the transition much smoother. 

What's next for you?

For me, what's next is continuing to help the brand move forward in a thoughtful and sustainable way. 

I’d also like to spend more time mentoring and developing future leaders. Throughout my career, people invested time in me, and I’ve come to appreciate how important that is, not just for individual growth, but for building a strong team.