Amazon’s Chief Legal Officer, David Zapolsky, stands out in the industry with his approach to risk management and personal productivity. Over his 25-year tenure at Amazon, he witnessed the expansion of the company’s legal team from just 15 to a staggering 2,000 lawyers. Zapolsky believes that corporate lawyers should engage actively in the business rather than adopt a passive stance. He discussed this during a webinar hosted by Berkeley Law, highlighting his proactive approach by implementing what he calls the “SLOBS risk-reward test.” This test helps him evaluate situations beyond traditional risk-aversion strategies.
Intriguingly, Zapolsky also has a unique email management style—sorting emails from oldest to newest—to maintain control and prevent critical communications from slipping through the cracks. He credits this and other personal practices as essential strategies for keeping his life balanced amidst the demands of his role. More of his insights can be found in the original article.