Zoom Video Communications Inc. has announced a significant change to its legal team. The company declared Cheree McAlpine as its new chief legal officer, filling the role nearly four years after its preceding principal attorney, Aparna Bawa, ascended to the chief operating officer position.
Within her tenure as the chief operating officer, Bawa had also managed the role of Zoom’s interim legal chief. This dual capacity was initiated in late 2020 when Zoom’s popularity surged in the wake of the pandemic. Bawa’s responsibilities increased, and her compensation was substantially boosted to reflect her added duties. In leading the company’s legal team, Bawa was at the forefront of addressing a myriad of cybersecurity and privacy issues that arose with the company’s accelerated growth.
In the previous year, Zoom had agreed to a $150 million settlement in relation to a shareholder class action lawsuit. The case, which was filed in 2020, stemmed from allegations of significant security flaws within its software. As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly integral part of Zoom’s offerings, these concerns surrounding data privacy and security continue to merit close scrutiny.
This move comes at a critical time, strengthening Zoom’s legal leadership in a period marked by ongoing data sharing concerns and increasingly complex legal challenges presented by artificial intelligence training. As such, the appointment will likely result in a renewed focus in these areas from a legal perspective.
As the new Chief Legal Officer, McAlpine is expected to bring her legal expertise to the forefront as Zoom confronts these emerging issues. McAlpine will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping Zoom’s legal approach to its future challenges and opportunities.