JetBlue Airways Corp. has announced a significant shift in its top legal position following recent leadership changes and the collapse of its $3.8 billion deal to acquire Spirit Airlines. Eileen McCarthy, a seasoned legal professional with 14 years of experience at JetBlue, will return as general counsel and corporate secretary effective August 5. McCarthy currently serves as deputy general counsel at UiPath Inc.
This appointment follows the departure of Brandon Nelson, who steps down after nearly two decades with the airline. Nelson’s exit comes in the aftermath of JetBlue’s decision to abandon its proposed acquisition of Spirit Airlines, which faced a judicial block over antitrust concerns. Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s previous CEO, also stepped down earlier this year and was succeeded by Joanna Geraghty, the company’s former president and chief operating officer. Read more about the antitrust concerns here.
McCarthy’s return to JetBlue marks a continuation of her distinguished career, coming from a leadership role at UiPath where she managed diverse legal areas including corporate governance, ethics and compliance, and litigation. She was instrumental during UiPath’s public listing and navigated complex legal challenges, including a recent shareholder lawsuit alleging misrepresentation of product demand. Details of the lawsuit are available here.
Nine months after a federal judge blocked the Spirit deal, Nelson will remain a strategic adviser to JetBlue through November 1 and is set to receive a severance package, including his base salary and a cash incentive bonus. More on Nelson’s transition can be found here.
As part of her responsibilities, McCarthy will also manage the airline’s relationship with its board, which recently saw the addition of two members nominated by activist investor Carl Icahn. This move underscores the pivotal role McCarthy will play in navigating the airline through its next phase under new leadership and amid evolving industry dynamics.