Bayer AG has appointed Dr. Max Thümmel, 43, as its new General Counsel, effective July 2026. Thümmel, who currently leads the company’s global litigation team, will succeed Dr. Thomas Laubert, who departed the company at the end of March. In his new role, Thümmel will oversee Bayer’s Law, Patents & Compliance (LPC) division, reporting directly to Chief Financial Officer Dr. Judith Hartmann. His responsibilities will encompass legal affairs, compliance, data protection, intellectual property, and insurance. ([juve.de](https://www.juve.de/markt-und-management/litigation-chef-wird-general-counsel-von-bayer/?utm_source=openai))
Thümmel’s promotion reflects Bayer’s strategy of advancing internal talent to key leadership positions. His extensive experience in managing complex legal challenges, particularly in high-profile litigation, positions him well to navigate the evolving legal landscape facing the company.
This appointment follows a series of strategic leadership changes within Bayer’s legal department. In October 2022, Bayer promoted William Dodero, then Vice President and Global Head of Litigation, to U.S. General Counsel and Senior Vice President. Dodero, a 20-year veteran of the company, played a pivotal role in shaping Bayer’s legal strategy during significant litigation, including cases related to the herbicide Roundup. ([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221005005155/en/Bayer-Names-William-Dodero-New-U.S.-General-Counsel-Beginning-January-2023?utm_source=openai))
These leadership transitions occur as Bayer continues to address complex legal matters, including ongoing litigation concerning Roundup. The company has been actively working to resolve these cases, with a multi-pronged strategy aimed at significantly containing the litigation by the end of 2026. ([bayer.com](https://www.bayer.com/media/download/02ae7c95-1057-4d67-849b-93ad58f201c6/2025-0216e.pdf?utm_source=openai))
By promoting seasoned in-house attorneys like Thümmel and Dodero, Bayer demonstrates its commitment to leveraging internal expertise to navigate legal challenges and uphold its compliance and ethical standards.