From Miami Law Grad to Toy CEO The Path of Judd Zebersky
Not many attorneys trade in a law practice for dirt roads in rural China, but that is how Judd Zebersky chose to build his second career. After earning a JD from the University of Miami School of Law and establishing his own firm, Judd Zebersky decided in 1997 that he wanted to make toys. What followed was an immersive apprenticeship in Chinese manufacturing and the founding of Jazwares, a company he would lead for nearly 30 years.
Zebersky stepped down as CEO on March 20, 2026. David Neustein, the company’s COO for 14 years, assumed leadership on March 23, 2026.
Learning the Trade Overseas
Zebersky’s approach to building a toy company was rooted in direct knowledge. He spent months in factories throughout southern China, learning injection molding, blow molding, rotocasting, and hair rooting techniques. He absorbed design and engineering processes from the people who actually performed them. “I visited toy factories throughout the south of China and immersed myself in the manufacturing, design, and engineering of toys,” he told Miami Law in 2014.
Jazwares grew steadily through licensed entertainment products, forming deals with recognizable franchises including Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Fortnite. The portfolio broadened through two key acquisitions: Wicked Cool Toys in 2019, which carried Pokémon licensing, and Kellytoy in 2020, which brought Squishmallows.
Squishmallows and the Scale That Followed
Squishmallows turned into one of the more remarkable retail stories in recent toy industry history. The line features plush characters with names, birthdays, and personal backstories. TikTok amplified their popularity considerably, and celebrity collectors including Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian added cultural cachet. Over 100 million units sold in a single year, with prices between $5 and $30.
Alleghany Capital Corporation made its first investment in Jazwares in 2014, taking a majority stake in 2016. Berkshire Hathaway inherited the position through its acquisition of Alleghany in the fourth quarter of 2022. Judd Zebersky maintained operational control through both ownership transitions.
Today Jazwares employs about 1,400 people and distributes products across more than 100 countries. The company has earned honors from TIME’s Most Influential Companies list, Fast Company, and Fortune. Judd Zebersky received the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEOs designation in 2024. See This Article for additional information.
Learn More about Judd Zebersky on https://www.jazwares.com/about-us/leadership
