Trudy Knockless

Legal departments are facing unprecedented financial pressure. "But when it comes to high-value work, they are willing to pay top dollar," said Owen Burman, managing director of the Wells Fargo Legal Specialty Group.

Dana Rao spent 11 years at Microsoft before joining Adobe in 2012. He's been legal chief since 2018.

Dana Rao spent 11 years at Microsoft before joining Adobe in 2012. He's been legal chief since 2018.

"Companies have increasingly trended toward moving the compliance function to an independent organization, sitting as a peer to the legal function." according a Major, Lindsey & Africa report.

Gloria Lee is jumping aboard Oakland, California-based Everlaw at a critical juncture, as the legal tech industry races to capitalize on the power of artificial intelligence to enhance their products.

“Our general counsel didn't just sponsor the program—he was in the meetings, guiding discussions and showing that this was a priority,” Kwant said of the DEI program he launched while as head of legal ops at GM's Cruise subsidiary.

Black Kohler was legal chief and her husband, Herbert V. Kohler ]r., was CEO during a golden age for the plumbing products manufacturer, which today is one of the largest privately owned companies in the country.

Black Kohler was legal chief and her husband, Herbert V. Kohler ]r., was CEO during a golden age for the plumbing products manufacturer, which today is one of the largest privately owned companies in the country.

"Traditional corporate budgeting approaches can feel like dinosaurs in a world demanding legal departments perform like gazelles," said Jason Winmill, chair of the Buying Legal Council.

The Norfolk Southern scandal highlights how difficult it is to set rules for workplace romances, but an ethics expert said companies are doing themselves no favors by treating discussion of the topic as taboo.