Artificial intelligence
10 Google legal leaders
These ten Google legal leaders include a former Google general counsel, a former deputy general counsel, and legal vice presidents and directors covering Google products and regions. A reader can learn how Google's legal function supports product teams, regional businesses and areas such as copyright, cloud and AI research.
Professionals to explore
01—10Arnd Haller
LinkedInExperience: Senior Legal Director (Northern and Central Europe, EU Legal Affairs) · Google
Senior Legal Director (Northern and Central Europe, EU Legal Affairs) at Google since 2021. Former Legal Director (DACH, BeNeLux, Nordics, EU Legal Affairs) at Google (2010–2021). The profile describes overseeing regional legal teams covering BeNeLux, CEE, D/A/CH, IE/UK and the Nordics, leading a team of 30-40 lawyers across several European countries.
Cedric Manara
LinkedInExperience: Director, Head of Copyright, Legal · Google
Director, Head of Copyright, Legal at Google since 2019. Former Senior Copyright Counsel, Head of Copyright, Legal (2018–2019) and Senior Copyright Counsel, Legal (2016–2018) at Google. The profile describes leading a team of lawyers on global projects from strategy setting to rapid response on issues relating to Google's products, litigation, partnership outreach and public messaging.
Christine Poli
LinkedInExperience: Legal Director, Head of Legal EMEA, Google Cloud EMEA · Google
Legal Director, Head of Legal EMEA, Google Cloud EMEA at Google since 2021, a role the profile places in Paris. The profile describes leading the legal team that supports Google Cloud EMEA, and its headline lists a master's degree in tech law, innovation and M&A.
Christopher Chin
LinkedInExperience: Deputy General Counsel · Google
Former Deputy General Counsel (2005–2010) and Legal Director (2010–2021) at Google; the profile says the Legal Director role included heading the Legal Technology team, which implemented technology and processes such as electronic signatures to improve efficiency. Co-Founder & General Counsel at LECG (LegalEng Consulting Group) since 2023, and former Associate General Counsel - Head of Commercial Legal at OpenAI (2024).
Ian Wilbur
LinkedInExperience: Legal Director - AI Research · Google
Former Legal Director - AI Research at Google (2011–2025) and Legal Director at Google DeepMind since 2025. The profile says this person built and led Google's first legal team dedicated to AI research and product development, and now works on frontier safety and security, AI governance, regulatory strategy and policy development.
Kate Lee
LinkedInExperience: Senior Legal Director - Head of APAC · Google
Senior Legal Director - Head of APAC at Google since 2025. Former Legal Director, Platforms Business Legal (Android, Play, Gemini, Google One, Photos, Messages) at Google (2017–2025) and Director, Head of Legal - Korea at Google (2010–2017). The profile describes providing strategic counsel on business and ecosystem development for Google's global platforms, from Android and Play to AI.
Kent Walker
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President and General Counsel · Google
Former Senior Vice President and General Counsel (2010–2018) and Vice President and General Counsel (2006–2010) at Google, and President, Global Affairs at Google since 2021. The profile describes overseeing the teams responsible for government relations, legal and compliance work, and content policies and enforcement at Google and Alphabet. Also former VP & Deputy General Counsel at eBay (2004–2006).
Neal Suggs
LinkedInExperience: VP Legal, Google Cloud · Google
VP Legal, Google Cloud at Google since 2021. Former Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft (2021), Vice President & Deputy General Counsel Commercial Group, Corporate, External and Legal Affairs at Microsoft (2016–2021) and Vice President & Deputy General Counsel - CELA SMSG, Commercial at Microsoft (2010–2016).
Sara Ciarelli
LinkedInExperience: Legal Director - Google Payments · Google
Legal Director - Google Payments at Google since 2024, described in the profile as Global Head of Legal for Google Payments. Former Legal Director - Google Maps (2021–2024), Senior Product Counsel - Manager, Google Maps (2019–2021) and Senior Competition Counsel (2013–2019) at Google.
Tia Arzu
LinkedInExperience: Director, Google Play Legal · Google
Director, Google Play Legal at Google since 2021. Former Senior Counsel, Google Play Legal at Google (2013–2021) and General Attorney, Privacy at AT&T (2007–2013). The profile describes managing a team of attorneys and working closely with Google executives and senior leadership to support Google Play.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's legal area to your question, since product counsel leads, regional legal heads and copyright specialists see different problems. For how Google's legal function worked in an earlier era, look to people whose relevant Google role has ended; for current practice, favor those still in role.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does an in-house legal team at a large technology company stay close to product teams without slowing launches?
- 02How do you structure regional legal teams so local law is covered while global policy stays consistent?
- 03Which legal risks deserve the most attention when a company ships AI or cloud products across many countries?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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