Starbucks appoints Brad Lerman as General Counsel and Executive Vice President

Starbucks appoints Brad Lerman as General Counsel and Executive Vice President

He was earlier the General Counsel at the global healthcare tech provider Medtronic

Ending his retirement spell, Brad Lerman has taken up the role of the new legal head of Starbucks Coffee Company. The global coffee chain had been on the lookout for the past year to fill the position.

With over three decades of experience, Lerman has joined as the General Counsel and Executive Vice President at the firm. His appointment comes weeks after Laxman Narasimhan took the reign of the firm as CEO.

Commenting on the appointment, Narasimhan said, “Lerman brings a tenure of experience leading companies through some of their most challenging issues across international markets and working closely with regulators around the world. His expertise in both the public and private sectors will strengthen our decision-making, and protect and advance the business and brand of Starbucks in the markets in which we operate. He will further develop our legal and compliance talent.”

Lerman remarked, “To serve the partners of Starbucks, one of the world’s most admired brands, is a true honour. The strength of Starbucks leadership team and board of directors, coupled with the talented Starbucks law and corporate affairs team, is what excites me most as we look to advance a bold mission and vision for the future of Starbucks.”

Lerman began his legal career as an assistant US attorney at the US Department of Justice, where he served for eight years. Thereafter, he had a stint at Pfizer as chief litigation counsel, and was a partner at Winston & Strawn and Kirkland & Ellis. Later, he served at Fannie Mae as a general counsel and corporate secretary.

Lerman had worked with Medtronic for nine years, before stepping down last year. He led the company’s global legal function and handled compliance matters across its US, South America, Europe and Asia businesses.