Judd Zebersky and Jazwares A Founder’s Journey From Law to Toys

The arc of Judd Zebersky‘s career covers two very different professional worlds. He began as a practicing attorney in Florida, earned a JD from the University of Miami School of Law, and built his own law firm. Then in 1997 he made a decision that reshaped everything: he flew to China, walked into toy factories, and spent months learning how products were actually made.

That self-directed education became the foundation of Jazwares, the toy company Zebersky founded and led for nearly 30 years until stepping down as CEO on March 20, 2026.

Immersed in Manufacturing From the Start

Zebersky immersed himself in technical production processes that most executives never touch. He learned injection molding, blow molding, and rotocasting. He studied hair rooting methods, design principles, and engineering specifications inside factories across southern China, sometimes in towns reachable only by dirt roads.

“I visited toy factories throughout the south of China and immersed myself in the manufacturing, design, and engineering of toys,” he told Miami Law in 2014.

Jazwares developed early through licensed entertainment properties, working with brands including Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Fortnite. Acquisitions followed: Wicked Cool Toys in 2019 brought Pokémon licensing, and Kellytoy in 2020 delivered Squishmallows, the soft plush toy line that would become a global sensation.

Squishmallows, Berkshire Hathaway, and What Came Next

Squishmallows grew into a viral product line, propelled by TikTok and celebrity interest from the likes of Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian. Each Squishmallow comes with a name, a birthday, and a bio. Sales topped 100 million units in a single year at retail prices ranging from $5 to $30.

Alleghany Capital Corporation invested in Jazwares starting in 2014, taking a majority stake in 2016. When Berkshire Hathaway acquired Alleghany in the fourth quarter of 2022, Jazwares became part of the Berkshire umbrella. Throughout both transactions, Zebersky maintained operational control.

Judd Zebersky received the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEOs recognition in 2024. David Neustein, COO for 14 years, became CEO on March 23, 2026. Jazwares now employs around 1,400 people and reaches customers across more than 100 countries. See This Article for additional information.

 

Related Article on https://jazwares.uk/about-us/leadership