How Judd Zebersky Turned a Law Career Into a Toy Empire
Few executives in the consumer products space can trace a career arc as unconventional as that of Judd Zebersky. A trained attorney who earned his JD from the University of Miami School of Law and launched his own law firm, Zebersky walked away from the legal profession in the late 1990s to pursue something entirely different: making toys. In 1997, he flew to China with no background in manufacturing and spent months inside factories, learning the industry from the ground up.
Learning Manufacturing From the Factory Floor
Zebersky immersed himself in every technical discipline the job required. He studied injection molding, blow molding, and rotocasting. He learned hair rooting methods, design processes, and engineering specifications. The knowledge he gained firsthand shaped how Jazwares hired talent and built its operations for years to come. “I visited toy factories throughout the south of China,” he said, “and immersed myself in the manufacturing, design, and engineering of toys.”
That foundation proved durable. The company he built grew into a recognized name in toy retail, licensing products tied to major entertainment franchises including Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Fortnite. Acquisitions in 2019 and 2020 brought Wicked Cool Toys and Kellytoy into the portfolio, the latter carrying with it a brand that would change the company’s trajectory entirely. Alleghany Capital Corporation first invested in 2014 and took a majority stake two years later. When Berkshire Hathaway acquired Alleghany in Q4 2022, Jazwares came with it.
Squishmallows and a Cultural Moment
Kellytoy’s signature product, Squishmallows, became a cultural phenomenon after going viral on TikTok. Soft, round plush figures with individual names, squishdays, and character backstories, the toys drew fans including Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian. Over 100 million units sold in a single year, with retail prices ranging from $5 to $30. Jazwares landed on TIME’s Most Influential Companies list and earned recognition from Fast Company and Fortune. The company also received Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production honor. Judd Zebersky stepped down as CEO on March 20, 2026, leaving behind a company with roughly 1,400 employees and distribution in more than 100 countries. Visit this page, for related information.
More about Judd Zebersky on https://www.jazwares.com/about-us/leadership