Malini Moorthy, Law‘94, has been named to Inside Counsel magazine’s list of 100 women likely to be ready to take on the role of General Counsel in the United States within the next three years.
Moorthy, Vice-President and Assistant General Counsel of Pfizer Inc.’s Legal Division in New York City, was named in the litigation category of the Chicago-based magazine’s new R-3 100 program. “I was honored and delighted to be included among such a remarkable group of women,” she says. “It’s admirable that Inside Counsel is working to close the gender gap that is apparent especially at more senior levels.”
As head of Pfizer’s Civil Litigation Group, Moorthy manages product liability, securities, anti-trust, commercial and asbestos litigation. She also oversees e-discovery operations and civil justice reform. Her career successes include leading Pfizer’s defense of its hormone therapy medicines. The company has won 10 of 13 court cases since she took over litigation and retooled the trial strategy.
Moorthy finds her work rewarding. “Pfizer’s size and complexity results in one of the most diverse portfolios of litigation. This is a remarkably stimulating legal job.”
The even wider scope of the General Counsel role appeals to her. She adds, “As GC, you have the most holistic view of a company’s legal strategy. You have to understand the business goals, where the successes and challenges are. For a global company, that’s a very large task.”
Queen’s Law, she says, provided the basis for the big-picture thinking that her job as an in-house lawyer for an international company requires. “I received the skill set to be a really good lawyer with strong judgment. Also, my passion for the practice of law was first instilled at Queen’s.”
Her leadership skills were also honed there. Moorthy, the Law Students’ Society president in her graduating year, won the Gavel Award for outstanding contributions to law school student affairs and the Tricolour Award for significant contributions to the University and student life.
By Kirsteen MacLeod