Legal technology
10 litigation management experts
These ten in-house litigation leaders have overseen litigation and disputes inside operating companies. A reader can learn how they manage litigation and work with business leaders on legal risk.
Professionals to explore
01—10Chad Pekron
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Litigation · Walmart
Former Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Litigation (2024–2026), Vice President-Complex Commercial Litigation (2022–2024) and Managing Counsel-Appellate and Strategic Litigation (2021–2022) at Walmart. The profile headline describes Pekron as a former Walmart head of litigation. Former Partner at Quattlebaum Grooms & Tull PLLC (2008–2020).
Edward Blakemore
LinkedInExperience: General Counsel, Global Litigation and Records Management · Rockwell Automation
General Counsel, Global Litigation and Records Management at Rockwell Automation since 2016, where the profile describes managing Rockwell Automation's litigation and records management teams. Former Counsel-Litigation (2013–2015) and Senior Attorney (2008–2013) at Eaton, and former Of Counsel at Mannion & Gray (2006–2008).
Emily Knott, JD, LL.M.
LinkedInExperience: Associate General Counsel · John Deere
Associate General Counsel at John Deere since 2025, where the profile says Knott leads the Litigation and Product Liability group, responsible for management of product liability claims and lawsuits, supply management, risk management and bankruptcy litigation. Former Assistant General Counsel (2024–2025) and Senior Counsel, Manager Global Evidence Team (2020–2024) at John Deere.
Eric Dowell
LinkedInExperience: Head of Litigation · SUN PHARMA
Head of Litigation at SUN PHARMA since 2021. The profile names Dowell as Head of Litigation for Sun Pharma, which it describes as a global pharmaceutical company with 42,000+ employees and 40+ manufacturing facilities. Former Partner at Pryor Cashman (2010–2021) and Litigation Associate at Mayer Brown (2004–2009).
Jackie Welch
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Litigation · The J.M. Smucker Co.
Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Litigation at The J.M. Smucker Co. since 2018, where the profile says Welch leads the organization's litigation portfolio. Former Director and Managing Counsel, Litigation (2015–2018) and Senior Corporate Counsel, Litigation (2011–2015) at The J.M. Smucker Co., and former Attorney at Tucker Ellis LLP (2010–2011).
Karen Gase
LinkedInExperience: Managing Counsel, Gulf Coast Restoration Organization Litigation · bp
Former Managing Counsel, Gulf Coast Restoration Organization Litigation at bp (2010–2016) and former Managing Attorney, Litigation at bp (2004–2007 and 2008–2009). The profile describes experience managing the largest and most complex civil litigation through an extended crisis and leading large in-house and outside counsel litigation teams.
Kristi Holcombe
LinkedInExperience: Global Head of Legal Dispute Management · IFS
Global Head of Legal Dispute Management at IFS since 2024, where the profile says Holcombe oversees all active and potential litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution matters globally and partners with executives on commercial priorities and risk appetite. Former Senior Corporate Counsel, Energy and Resources at IFS (2022–2024).
Lisa Floro
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, General Counsel, Global Litigation · Coloplast
Vice President, General Counsel, Global Litigation at Coloplast since 2020, where the profile says Floro is responsible for all global disputes and litigation across business areas. Former Global Associate General Counsel, Head of Litigation, Urology Care (2017–2019) and Associate General Counsel, Litigation (2015–2017) at Coloplast, and Senior Counsel, Litigation at Bayer (2005–2015).
Megan Frient
LinkedInExperience: Director & Assistant General Counsel- Global Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Procter & Gamble
Director & Assistant General Counsel- Global Litigation & Dispute Resolution at Procter & Gamble since 2020 and former Senior Counsel- Global Litigation & Dispute Resolution there (2012–2020). The profile describes responsibility for all aspects of management and strategy for high-risk litigation matters, primarily class actions, mass torts, commercial disputes, antitrust issues and trademark infringement.
Sarah Menendez
LinkedInExperience: Chief Litigation Counsel · BMC Software
Chief Litigation Counsel at BMC Software since 2017, where the profile says Menendez heads the litigation section, reports directly to the General Counsel and works with senior business leaders and risk management functions across the multinational software company. Former Senior Counsel at Columbia Pipeline Group - now part of TC Energy (2015–2017) and Attorney at Locke Lord LLP (2010–2015).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's case mix to yours, since product liability, class actions and commercial disputes call for different strategies and outside counsel. Ask each person how they set litigation budgets and decide when to settle, since those choices vary widely between companies.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide whether to settle a case early or take it to trial?
- 02How do you choose outside counsel and keep their fees within budget?
- 03What do you report to executives and the board about pending litigation, and how often?
Reaching litigation management experts
How can I contact one of these litigation management experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Walmart, Rockwell Automation and John Deere, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach litigation management experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
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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