Most lawyers who leave their practice do not end up building billion-dollar consumer brands. Judd Zebersky is an exception. After earning a JD from the University of Miami School of Law and running his own law firm, Zebersky made a choice that surprised nearly everyone around him. “I looked at my wife, and I said, ‘I want to make toys,'” he recalled. Her response, as he has told it, was simple: follow your dreams he did.
What Zebersky Learned in China
In 1997, Judd Zebersky traveled to rural China and spent months working inside toy factories. He had no manufacturing experience and no industry contacts. What he had was a willingness to learn everything from scratch. He studied injection molding and blow molding techniques, observed rotocasting processes, and learned the engineering requirements for the products he hoped to one day produce. The practical knowledge he gathered shaped Jazwares from its earliest days, informing how the company selected employees and structured its production operations.
Jazwares grew through a carefully assembled portfolio of licensed entertainment products, with partnerships spanning Minecraft, Fortnite, and Sonic the Hedgehog. The company’s acquisition of Kellytoy in 2020 brought Squishmallows into the Jazwares family. The collectible plush toys became a phenomenon, spreading across social media and attracting a fanbase that included major celebrities. By the time Judd Zebersky stepped down in March 2026, the company distributed products across more than 100 countries.
Recognition Earned Over Decades
Zebersky’s tenure drew consistent industry recognition. Jazwares appeared on TIME’s Most Influential Companies list and earned honors from Fortune and Fast Company. He personally received the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEOs distinction in 2024 and was named among the top 50 entrepreneurs by The Business Report in 2023. Judd Zebersky philanthropic work through Jazwares Cares, including a $2 million personal gift to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, underscored a commitment that ran alongside the company’s commercial ambitions. Check out this page for more information.
Find more information about Judd Zebersky on https://jazwares.uk/about-us/leadership