When Judd Zebersky decided to leave his law practice in the late 1990s, the toy industry was not an obvious destination for a trained attorney. But Zebersky was drawn to consumer products in a way that legal work never satisfied. He boarded a plane for China, walked into factories, and spent months learning the business from the production floor up.
Licensing as the Foundation
Jazwares built its early reputation through licensing agreements with some of the biggest entertainment properties in the world, including Minecraft, Fortnite, and Sonic the Hedgehog. That approach required both legal fluency and manufacturing know-how, two competencies Judd Zebersky had developed through unusual paths. His JD from the University of Miami School of Law gave him the framework for contract negotiations. His months in Chinese factories gave him the operational credibility to manage production at scale. The combination proved durable.
Two acquisitions reshaped the company’s trajectory. Jazwares purchased Wicked Cool Toys in 2019, adding Pokémon to the portfolio, and then acquired Kellytoy in 2020. Kellytoy brought Squishmallows, the soft plush line that became one of the most viral toy products in recent memory. Celebrity fans, TikTok videos, and a collector community pushed the brand into mainstream culture. More than 100 million Squishmallows sold in a single year, with individual units priced between $5 and $30.
Stepping Away at the Top
Alleghany Capital Corporation first invested in Jazwares in 2014 and took a majority interest in 2016, with both deals preserving Judd Zebersky’s authority over daily operations. Berkshire Hathaway inherited Jazwares through its acquisition of Alleghany in late 2022. By the time Zebersky formally stepped down on March 20, 2026, the company distributed products across more than 100 countries and had accumulated honors from TIME, Fast Company, and Fortune. COO David Neustein, a 14-year veteran of the company, takes over the CEO role on March 23, 2026. Read this article for additional information.
Learn more about Judd Zebersky on https://www.jazwares.com/about-us/leadership