Defense technology
10 BAE Systems legal leaders
These ten BAE Systems legal leaders hold deputy and associate general counsel, chief counsel, assistant general counsel and head of legal roles at BAE Systems and BAE Systems, Inc. A reader can learn how legal leaders work at BAE Systems from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Brian Baldrate
LinkedInExperience: Vice President and Chief Counsel · BAE Systems, Inc.
Vice President and Chief Counsel at BAE Systems, Inc. since 2025, with the headline describing the role as lead counsel at BAE ES. Former Vice President, Lead Counsel and Corporate Secretary at GM Defense (2021–2025) and Vice President & General Counsel, Global Legal Affairs & Government Relations at RTX (2020–2021).
David Kessler
LinkedInExperience: Vice President II & Associate General Counsel, IT & Data Law · BAE Systems, Inc.
Vice President II & Associate General Counsel, IT & Data Law at BAE Systems, Inc. since 2025. Former Vice President & Associate General Counsel, IT & Cybersecurity at BAE Systems, Inc. (2020–2025), Lead Public Sector Product & Marketing Counsel at Verizon (2018–2020) and Chief Compliance Officer at McAfee (2014–2017).
Emily Glendinning
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & Deputy General Counsel Chief Privacy Officer, CIPP US · BAE Systems, Inc.
Vice President & Deputy General Counsel Chief Privacy Officer, CIPP US at BAE Systems, Inc. since 2026. Former Vice President & Associate General Counsel Chief Privacy Officer, CIPP US Chief Legal Operations (2016–2026), Associate General Counsel for Employment and Labor and Chief Privacy Officer (2014–2016) and Assistant General Counsel for Employment and Labor (2011–2014) at BAE Systems.
Jane Rahman
LinkedInExperience: Head of Litigation & Investigations · BAE Systems
Head of Litigation & Investigations at BAE Systems since 2022, listed in Legal at Head level. Former Consultant at Three Crowns LLP (2021), Senior Counsel at Al Tamimi & Company (2018–2020), Counsel at WilmerHale (2015–2018) and Associate at Debevoise & Plimpton (2012–2015).
Kara Hockmeyer
LinkedInExperience: Deputy Chief Counsel, Labor and Employment · BAE Systems
Deputy Chief Counsel, Labor and Employment at BAE Systems since 2025, listed in Legal at Vice President level, and Senior Counsel, Labor and Employment there since 2023. Former Counsel, Labor and Employment at BAE Systems (2021–2023) and Associate Vice President, Human Resources at Merrimack College (2020–2021).
Katherine Brown
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & Associate General Counsel · BAE Systems, Inc.
Vice President & Associate General Counsel at BAE Systems, Inc. since 2017, based in Lexington, Massachusetts and listed in Legal at Vice President level. Former Assistant General Counsel - Mergers & Acquisitions at Lockheed Martin (2014–2017) and Associate at Hogan Lovells (2005–2014).
Mark Duncan
LinkedInExperience: Chief Counsel, Submarines · BAE Systems
Chief Counsel, Submarines at BAE Systems since 2023. Former General Counsel at Blue International (2021–2022), General Counsel and Company Secretary at Eleclink (2018–2021), Senior Corporate Counsel at Shire (2015–2018) and UK Legal Director at National Express Group plc (2010–2014).
Michael L. Smith
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel, Offsets & International Compliance · BAE Systems
Assistant General Counsel, Offsets & International Compliance at BAE Systems since 2024, listed at Director level. Former Counsel, International Compliance (2015–2020) and Sr. International Compliance Specialist (2012–2015) at BAE Systems, and former Assistant General Counsel, Risk & Compliance at Verint (2022–2024).
Patricia Byrne
LinkedInExperience: VP & Chief Counsel International Trade Compliance · BAE Systems, Inc.
VP & Chief Counsel International Trade Compliance at BAE Systems, Inc. since 2022, listed in Legal at President/Vice President level. Former VP & Associate General Counsel International Compliance at BAE Systems Inc. (2008–2023) and former Counsel at WilmerHale (1999–2008).
Tom Norman
LinkedInExperience: Head of Legal for Rochester Business Centre · BAE Systems, Inc.
Head of Legal for Rochester Business Centre at BAE Systems, Inc. since 2025, with the headline placing the role at BAE Systems Electronic Systems. Former Senior Legal Counsel Intellectual Property and Technology law (2018–2025) and Legal Counsel Intellectual Property & Technology Law (2015–2025) at BAE Systems.
Choose the right perspective
Match the legal area named in the person's title to the question you bring. Check whether the person's BAE Systems role is current before asking about how the team works today.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do in-house legal leaders decide what to handle internally and what to send to outside counsel?
- 02How do in-house lawyers work with business teams on new deals or launches?
- 03What changes when an in-house lawyer moves from supporting one business unit to leading a practice area?
Reaching BAE Systems legal leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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