Chief Litigation Officer (CLO)

Role Summary

The Chief Litigation Officer is responsible for overseeing the organization's litigation strategy, dispute resolution, legal risk management, and contentious regulatory matters. This executive role leads all litigation-related activities, manages external counsel, minimizes legal exposure, and ensures effective handling of complex legal disputes that could impact the organization's financial performance, reputation, and operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Litigation Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the organization's litigation and dispute resolution strategy.
• Advise the CEO, Board, and executive leadership on significant legal disputes and litigation risks.
• Establish legal strategies to protect the organization's interests and minimize exposure.
• Evaluate settlement opportunities versus trial strategies.

2. Litigation & Dispute Management

• Oversee all litigation matters, including commercial, employment, regulatory, contractual, and class-action disputes.
• Direct case strategy, pleadings, discovery, trial preparation, and appeals.
• Monitor litigation portfolio and prioritize high-risk matters.
• Ensure timely resolution of disputes while controlling legal costs.

3. Regulatory Investigations & Enforcement

• Lead responses to regulatory inquiries, investigations, and enforcement actions.
• Coordinate with regulators, government agencies, and external legal counsel.
• Manage internal investigations related to legal and compliance concerns.
• Mitigate legal and reputational risks arising from regulatory actions.

4. Risk Management & Legal Exposure

• Assess litigation risks and potential financial liabilities.
• Develop legal risk mitigation strategies and preventative measures.
• Provide regular litigation risk reporting to executive leadership and the Board.
• Collaborate with Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit functions.

5. External Counsel Management

• Select, engage, and oversee external law firms and litigation specialists.
• Manage legal budgets and outside counsel expenditures.
• Evaluate counsel performance and negotiate fee arrangements.
• Ensure consistent legal strategy across jurisdictions and matters.

6. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

• Lead mediation, arbitration, and settlement negotiations.
• Develop dispute resolution frameworks to reduce litigation costs and timelines.
• Promote proactive resolution of legal disputes where appropriate.
• Oversee enforcement of settlements and arbitration awards.

7. Corporate & Commercial Litigation

• Manage complex commercial disputes involving contracts, partnerships, intellectual property, competition law, and shareholder matters.
• Support M&A-related disputes and post-acquisition litigation.
• Protect organizational assets and commercial interests.

8. Team Leadership & Governance

• Build and lead a high-performing litigation and disputes team.
• Develop litigation management policies and procedures.
• Mentor legal professionals and support succession planning.
• Promote legal excellence and best practices across the organization.

Qualifications & Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD), LLB, or equivalent law degree.
• Licensed attorney admitted to practice law in a relevant jurisdiction.
• 15+ years of legal experience with significant litigation exposure.
• Minimum 5+ years in a senior litigation leadership role.
• Extensive courtroom, arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution experience.
• Strong background in complex commercial litigation, regulatory investigations, and legal risk management.
• Experience managing external counsel and high-value legal disputes.

Key Competencies

• Litigation Strategy & Case Management
• Commercial & Corporate Litigation
• Regulatory Investigations
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Legal Risk Management
• Trial & Appellate Strategy
• Executive Advisory
• Crisis Management
• Negotiation & Settlement
• Stakeholder Management
• Budget & External Counsel Management
• Leadership & Team Development