Retail
10 Walmart legal leaders
These ten current and former Walmart legal leaders include a former Walmart general counsel, a former chief legal officer, and general counsels for Walmart U.S., Canada, Asia and China. Readers can learn how a global retailer organizes legal work across countries, litigation, regulation, corporate governance and international sourcing.
Professionals to explore
01—10Elisebeth Collins (Cook)
LinkedInExperience: SVP & Chief Counsel, Regulatory & Specialty Legal · Walmart
SVP & Chief Counsel, Regulatory & Specialty Legal at Walmart since 2023, and EVP & Global Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Special Counsel at Walmart since 2025. She was SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at WWE (2022) and Deputy General Counsel (Enterprise Risk, Sales & Services) at Caterpillar Inc. (2018–2022).
Erica Chan
LinkedInExperience: SVP, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer, Asia · Walmart
SVP, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer, Asia at Walmart since 2015, and SVP, General Counsel, Asia at Walmart since 2012. She was VP & General Counsel, Asia at Walmart (2011–2012) and General Manager, Hong Kong Office & General Counsel, Greater China at Disney Star (2010–2011).
Joe Ruschell
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Office of the Corporate Secretary · Walmart
Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Office of the Corporate Secretary at Walmart since 2026, and former Senior Vice President, Global Governance at Walmart (2025–2026). He was Vice President, Associate General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Humana (2021–2025) and Associate Vice President, Assistant General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Humana (2019–2021).
Karen Roberts
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President and General Counsel · Walmart
Former Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Walmart (2012–2023); her profile says she served as Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel, leading the global legal team. Her other Walmart roles include Executive Vice President and President Walmart Realty (2011–2012), Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, U.S. (2008–2011) and Vice President and General Counsel, Walmart Realty (2005–2008).
Kerri Ruttenberg
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Litigation · Walmart
Former Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Litigation at Walmart (2019–2023); her profile says she led a team of in-house counsel managing Walmart's litigation portfolio and describes her as a retired trial attorney. She was also Partner, Head of Litigation (DC) at Jones Day (2010–2019).
Kerry Kotouc
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President and General Counsel · Walmart
Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Walmart, a current role listed from 2004; the profile headline gives it as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Walmart U.S., and lists retail operations, compliance, risk and enterprise leadership as focus areas. The profile also lists an Associate General Counsel role at Walmart.
Lee-Peng Chow
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President General Counsel China · Walmart
Senior Vice President General Counsel China at Walmart since 2023; the profile says the role leads a multi-jurisdictional legal team providing operational and M&A support. The profile also lists Vice President Legal Asia at Carlsberg Group (2018–2020), Vice President Legal, China at NBCUniversal (2015–2017) and Greater China Regional Counsel at Diageo (2013–2015).
Rachel Brand
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary · Walmart
Former Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary at Walmart (2018–2026); her profile headline also describes the role as Executive Vice President of Global Governance. She was Associate Attorney General of the United States at the U.S. Department of Justice (2017–2018) and has been a Board Member at Walmart de México y Centroamérica since 2025.
Rhonda Maines-Corrado
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President, General Counsel · Walmart Canada
Senior Vice President, General Counsel at Walmart Canada since 2015, a role listed in the Legal department at President/Vice President level. Her other Walmart Canada roles are Vice-President, Associate General Counsel (2005–2015) and Corporate Counsel (2003–2005); she was also Legal Counsel at Skyservice (2001–2003).
Tom Gean
LinkedInExperience: SVP, Chief Counsel for Walmart International & Sourcing · Walmart
SVP, Chief Counsel for Walmart International & Sourcing at Walmart since 2024. His other Walmart roles include Global Anti-Corruption and Ethics Officer & SVP (2020–2024), Global Anti-Corruption Officer & Vice President (2012–2020) and Chief Legal Compliance Officer (US) & Vice President (2004–2012); he was also United States Attorney - Western District of Arkansas (2001–2004).
Choose the right perspective
Match the lawyer's scope to your question, since an enterprise general counsel, a country general counsel and a chief counsel for litigation or governance handle different problems. Check whether each Walmart role is current or ended before asking about recent legal or regulatory decisions.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you split legal responsibilities between a global legal team and country or division general counsels?
- 02How should a large retailer manage a high-volume litigation portfolio with in-house and outside counsel?
- 03What governance and compliance structures matter most when a company operates stores and sourcing in 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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