Sean Kramer, Vice President of Legal and Corporate Secretary, Good Food Holdings
Where do you work, and what is your role?
I am Vice President of Legal and Corporate Secretary at Good Food Holdings, which is the holding company for five retail grocery brands in California, Oregon, and Washington, including Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres Natural Market, New Leaf Community Markets, New Seasons Market, and Metropolitan Market. I lead the in-house legal function across the organization.
What is the coolest thing about your line of work? Or about the industry you are in?
I love seeing how legal supports all aspects of our business. In a small but meaningful way, I get to contribute to how people shop, eat, and connect in their communities around really great food. I love being able to help our brands do that successfully while also using my skills and experience to oversee and direct legal strategy and compliance.
What is the most surprising thing you’ve found working there?
The most surprising aspect of working at Good Food Holdings is how operational the legal function is. Before moving in-house, I did not fully appreciate how quickly business decisions needed to be made.
What do you love about being an in-house attorney?
I love the variety, pace, and close partnerships with my internal clients.
What resources do you consult or use to stay current re the legal matters you work on?
I rely on a variety of resources to stay current on my legal matters, including the Food Industry and California Grocers Associations, ACC and ACC SoCal programming and networks, Law360, outside counsel thought leadership, and peer collaboration with other grocery and retail in-house leaders. As a department, we are also looking at new ways to incorporate AI to help stay current.
If you were not a lawyer, what career would you choose?
I would be an architect. It is probably best that I stuck with the law though, since I am terrible at math.
Why did you join ACC, and what do you like the most about being an ACC SoCal Member?
The community and knowledge-sharing. It is an incredibly collaborative and supportive network of in-house legal leaders.
What is your favorite ACC event and why?
Any networking event. Although I am originally from Los Angeles, I relocated to Los Angeles from the Bay Area only a few years ago after practicing management-side labor and employment there for a number of years. I am always looking for ways to grow and expand my professional network in Southern California and meet other in-house professionals – ACC Southern California is the best way to do that.
What is the best career advice you have received?
Trust your instincts.
When you aren’t practicing law, what are you doing?
When I am not working, my husband and I are spending time with our Australian Sheppard – Oliver, exploring Southern California’s diverse food scene, and traveling. Working in grocery retail definitely reinforces an appreciation for good food and cooking, and Southern California has one of the best food scenes in the country.
What’s something about you that fellow ACC SoCal members might be surprised to know?
I love grocery stores! I visit our stores even when I am not working just to experience them as a customer. This love for grocery also carries over to when I travel at home and abroad. Some of the best grocery stores that I have ever visited are in Asia, particularly in Thailand and Singapore.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto?
“The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost
If you could have dinner with one person from any point in history, who would you choose and why?
I would have dinner with Jonathan Gold, the former restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times. He had the rare ability to bring people and cultures together through food. He did not just review restaurants. He highlighted communities, street vendors, and neighborhood spots that most critics overlooked, helping others appreciate the diversity of a city like Los Angeles. Sharing a meal with him would feel like seeing how food can connect people, tell stories, and even shape cultural understanding.
Learn more about ACC Membership Benefits here.
