Seth Fier – Revlon

Founded in 1910, Revlon has long been a household name in beauty and cosmetics. Headquartered in New York City with an upcoming, state-of-the-art, new research and development center in New Jersey, the company has a renewed focus on consumer-centricity along with a long history of innovation and quality. However, like many legacy brands, Revlon has faced its share of challenges, most notably filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022.

Seth Fier | Revlon | SVP, Deputy General Counsel

As the company emerged from this financial restructuring, it embarked on a transformation of its business that included bringing in several new leaders to a complex corporate landscape. One of the key figures in this transformation has been Seth Fier, senior vice president and deputy general counsel, whose leadership through the bankruptcy period and subsequent emergence has provided consistency and steadiness for the organization. With a unique background in accounting and finance, Fier has brought a strategic, analytical approach to his role, helping to stabilize and reposition Revlon for future growth.

Fier’s journey to corporate law was anything but conventional. A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in applied economics and accounting, he began his career as a senior auditor and financial analyst.

“I’ve always been a numbers person,” he recalls. “Accounting was a natural fit, but I didn’t know exactly where it would lead.”

His time at Arthur Andersen and later at a venture capital affiliate of Credit Suisse gave him deep insights into financial operations, but he found the work repetitive. That realization, coupled with encouragement from his wife, prompted him to pivot toward law.

He enrolled in Fordham University School of Law, treating it as a full-time commitment despite the evening program structure.

“I approached law school like a job,” he says. “I was taking out loans and wanted to ensure it was a worthwhile investment.”

After graduating, Fier spent 15 years at Proskauer Rose, specializing in complex civil and criminal litigation, where he honed the ability to think strategically, anticipate issues, and provide clients with pragmatic solutions.

“Litigation forces you to jump into a matter, assess the landscape quickly, initially without having all the facts, and develop a game plan. Those skills translate seamlessly to in-house legal work.”

Navigating uncertainty

Fier joined Revlon in June 2021, just as the company was navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and related macroeconomic headwinds. Revlon filed for bankruptcy a year later, thrusting Fier into a high-stakes legal and business environment.

“Did I envision all of this when I joined? No,” he admits. “But I jumped in the deep end, and it’s been a tremendous learning experience and a deeply fulfilling opportunity for professional growth.”

As Revlon emerged from bankruptcy, Fier played a critical role in multiple areas, including litigation, risk management, compliance, privacy, real estate, and corporate security. He describes his work as “three-dimensional chess,” requiring constant strategic thinking and planning. One of his major initiatives was relocating Revlon’s R&D facility from Edison, New Jersey, to the Northeast Science & Technology (NEST) Center in Kenilworth.

“We had to find and evaluate options, negotiate terms, and secure a new location—all while ensuring business continuity,” he explains.

The process, which took 18 months, was even more complex when the head of real estate left the company in late 2023, leaving Fier to hire a replacement and lead the transition.

“It was a crash course in real estate, but we got it done, and now we will have a state-of-the-art facility that supports innovation.”

Another challenge arose in 2023 when Revlon needed to establish a standalone insurance and risk management program. Previously managed by the company’s former parent, this task fell to Fier.

“I leveraged some experience I’d had as a litigator with insurance matters and collaborated with commercial brokers, legal counsel, and internal teams to design and implement a new program,” he says. “It was another example of learning on the fly and delivering results.”

Fier also played a crucial role in helping the company transition to a more sustainable financial structure. Coming out of bankruptcy, the focus shifted toward growth. It was about ensuring Revlon had the right legal and operational frameworks to support its future. That required a high level of agility and strategic prioritization, including revisiting contracts, compliance measures, and risk management strategies to align with its new reality. His expertise in finance proved invaluable in this effort, allowing him to bridge the gap between legal considerations and business strategy.

Focusing on people & growth

Despite his extensive legal responsibilities, Fier emphasizes that his leadership style is built on mentorship and collaboration.

“I view myself more as a mentor than a manager,” he says. “My job is to clear obstacles and make my team’s work easier so they can grow and succeed. Having led different types of teams over time, from accountants to lawyers to consultants, I focus on hearing each individual’s perspective and synergizing those contributions towards achieving the team’s goal.”

Fier’s commitment to people extends beyond his internal teams. His pro bono work has been particularly impactful, including cases where his resourcefulness and perseverance led to a vacated conviction for a wrongfully accused client and a rare mid-trial acquittal and dismissal of charges for another client.

“Those experiences reinforced the importance of thinking creatively and outside the box and being open to details that others may have overlooked,” he says. “Now, I bring that same mindset to my work at Revlon—problem-solving, anticipating risks, and delivering solutions that make a real impact.”

As Revlon continues progressing, Fier is excited about the company’s trajectory.

“We’ve put the bankruptcy behind us, and now we’re focused on growth, innovation, and operational excellence,” he says. “It’s an exciting time, and I’m proud to be part of this transformation.”

Looking toward the future

Fier is particularly interested in how technology can enhance legal operations.

“AI is something we’re actively exploring,” he notes. “How can we leverage it to reduce the day-to-day grind and focus on higher-value work? That’s the next frontier.”

Beyond AI, cybersecurity, compliance and risk mitigation remain top priorities. Revlon’s focus on the future, Fier explains, includes the opportunity to find efficiencies and enhancements to ways of working.

“We’re on a track towards sustainable growth, and that means building best-in-class, resilient processes that will support the company for years to come,” he says.

Ultimately, Fier’s journey—from accounting to litigation to corporate law—has positioned him as a dynamic leader at a pivotal moment in Revlon’s history.

“I didn’t have my career path mapped out, but I focused on picking up meaningful skills along the way while always growing my comfort zone,” he reflects. “Now, having seen the various challenges we’ve navigated at Revlon, I feel prepared for anything the future holds.”

His ability to pivot, learn, and lead in uncertain times has made him an invaluable asset to Revlon. Whether handling complex litigation, overseeing real estate transitions, or driving the future through technological enhancements, Fier has demonstrated a rare combination of legal acumen, financial expertise, and leadership skills. As Revlon continues to evolve, Fier’s influence will undoubtedly shape its future in ways that extend beyond the legal department.

“Being part of this company at this time has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” he says. “I’m excited to see where we go next.”