Walt Disney Co. has announced changes for General Counsel Horacio Gutierrez, including a contract extension and new professional title. According to a securities filing last week, Gutierrez will have his role expanded and his term extended until December 31, 2026. Previously known as the general counsel at Disney, Gutierrez was appointed two years ago to…
Nathaniel Gardiner, the longstanding General Counsel at biotech firm Entanta Pharmaceuticals, announced his intention to retire at the end of March 2024, capping off a remarkable 28-year tenure at the company. This information was revealed in an official securities filing made public this week. Gardiner, 70, has been an instrumental figure in Entanta since its…
Over the course of the year, advice has been shared by general counsels on various topics: ranging from working with the C-suite, handling cross-border deals, to expectations when transitioning to an in-house role. This advice comes in the wake of the evolving role of top in-house lawyers, who are now more prominently recognized as strategic…
The Walt Disney Co. has extended the employment agreement of top lawyer, Horacio Gutierrez, who joined two years ago from Spotify Technology SA. Under the new terms, Gutierrez will work through to the end of 2026, and will receive an annual base salary of $1.5 million starting from January 1, according to a recent securities…
As the year draws to a close, law firms often take extra measures to ensure smooth year-end collections, which can sometimes stir controversy or dissatisfaction among General Counsels (GCs). Elliot Mark, the former General Counsel at crisis-management software firm Everbridge, emphasizes the importance of having a shared understanding between firms and their clients. “You need…
Noted legal innovator and industry expert, Olga V. Mack, has been making her mark in the field of law by embracing developments in technology. Mack, a Fellow at CodeX, the Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT, has had a dedicated career towards honing and advancing the future of law….
In the highly charged and adversarial world of law, where attorneys are trained to identify what’s wrong or could potentially go wrong, one important aspect of team management is often overlooked – appreciation of what’s going right. This was brought forth effectively by Janea Hawkins, Assistant General Counsel at Freddie Mac and Rob Falk, General…
Legal teams at major corporations are bracing for another challenging year in 2024, with an emphasis on stringent budgetary constraints. Leading legal voices have expressed concerns over managing various emerging issues, ranging from an increase in the use of generative AI within the workplace, to staying in compliance with escalating privacy regulations, all within an…
Christopher Fonzone, a seasoned national security attorney, has been confirmed to helm the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. Acting as the primary individual for complex executive branch legal inquiries, Fonzone received bipartisan support with a confirmation vote of 50-17. Fonzone is no stranger to the Justice Department office, having formerly served as an attorney…
Black Diamond Capital Management LLC, the private investment firm founded by billionaire Stephen Deckoff, has recently made significant changes to its executive team. According to a recent announcement, Matthew Kane has been appointed as the firm’s new General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. This development has been confirmed by Major, Lindsey & Africa, the global…
With the bonus season for Biglaw firms in full effect, our annual compilation of in-house law department salaries provides an insightful look into the enigmatic domain of corporate legal remuneration. This data-rich report, compiled in association with our partners at Paragon Legal, is based on surveys from over 1,900 in-house professionals. The study draws from…
Retail conglomerates, Walmart Inc. and the Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. are making significant changes to their in-house legal teams as they head into the new year. Walmart recently hired Elisebeth “Beth” Collins, an ex-lawyer for Boeing Co. and Caterpillar Inc., who recently held the role of general counsel for World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. This appointment…
In an effort to maintain the services of its esteemed global general counsel, Zac Hudson, Las Vegas Sands Corp. has reportedly raised the stakes. This lauded hospitality and entertainment corporation, which operates a wide spectrum of casinos, resorts and restaurants, has made modifications to selfsame Hudson’s compensation plan, implying it hopes this will ensure his…
In this year’s Pro Bono Innovators issue, Davis Wright Tremaine (DWT) and Microsoft Corp. have been recognized by Bloomberg Law for their exemplary pro bono work. They have made significant strides in providing free legal services, particularly to independent journalists and newsrooms in underserved areas. In six states across the U.S., DWT and Microsoft have…
As year-end tasks dominate legal departments worldwide, the importance of both reflecting on and preparing for future challenges cannot be overstated. Several trends will notably keep in-house lawyers busy this coming year. The politically charged climate of election years has a profound impact, penetrating the various layers of society, including businesses. Debate on social issues…
In conversation with Olga V. Mack, a notable Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT, we delve into some thought-provoking insights for legal professionals. Her career has been remarkable in her dedication to redefining and streamlining the future of law. Around the potential intersection of technology…
The world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is constantly evolving, and recent developments have implications for legal professionals across the globe. Reuters analyzed the EU’s proposed AI regulations, suggesting that these rules may affect service industry professionals and might also impact other legislative approaches to AI worldwide. The report draws on surveys from professionals operating in…
The issue of nonlawyer ownership of legal services providers hasn’t had significant traction in the United States. Meanwhile, in England and Wales, nonlawyers have been allowed to own and manage legal services since the implementation of the Legal Services Act in 2011. However, this act wasn’t universally adopted, but it did find some application among…
Although considerable data is meagre, available indicators and experience underline a significant leadership diversity gap in the sphere of high-value commercial disputes. This void appears even more pronounced than in other sectors of law-related business operations. In this context, immense responsibility falls on businesses that appoint law firms to navigate substantial litigation and arbitration cases….
In a recent professional update, Hogan Lovells has renewed Marie-Aimée de Dampierre’s term as their chair for another three years, initiating from May of next year. A litigator deeply embedded within the Hogan’s intellectual property, media, and technology practice, her responsibilities involve maintaining the firm’s quality standards and fostering its work environment. More about this…
Allen & Overy and Sullivan & Cromwell are among four law firms selected to join Standard Chartered’s new diversity task force. The initiative is spearheaded by the group general counsel of the bank. The other two firms included in the task force are UK Top 50 firms Simmons & Simmons and Eversheds Sutherland. Their shared…
Success in the legal industry is never an isolation from hard work, but it’s key for an attorney to understand that hard work alone doesn’t guarantee them achievement of their career goals. This stands particularly true when transitioning to the role of an in-house counsel. Looking back at my own career, it’s clear that every…
The image-sharing company Pinterest has announced the hiring of Michele Lee as their new General Counsel. An emerging talent in the legal field, Lee was recently featured in the San Francisco Business Times’ 2023 “Women of Influence” class. Having joined Pinterest in January 2021, initially as an assistant general counsel, her journey reflects a rapid…
Scott A. Stengel is set to join Truist Financial Corporation as senior executive vice president and chief legal officer. His appointment, effective from December 26th, will see him take the helm in Charlotte, North Carolina, a detail confirmed in a recent news release. Stengel will succeed the outgoing Ellen M. Fitzsimmons, occupying not just the…
British oil and gas titan BP is bidding farewell to its longstanding executive vice president of legal, Eric Nitcher, as he retires after dedicating 33 years to the company. Filling Nitcher’s sizable shoes is Michael Sosso, slated to ascend from his current position as SVP legal to the top legal job on January 1, 2024,…