Bruce Byrd

In January 2021, I became the Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Palo Alto Networks, the world’s leading cybersecurity company. In that role, I am responsible for global legal affairs, as well our government affairs and policy team. During 20+ years of prior experience at AT&T, involving multiple geographical moves and promotions, my oversight responsibility included plenty of in-the-trenches experience, both from a legal and business perspective. A seasoned legal executive and business lawyer, I also bring to the table the skills of an experienced litigator, previously having been a litigation partner in an AmLaw 150 law firm. OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP I am responsible for leading the law department in tandem with oversight of the government affairs arm of the company, guiding their leadership teams utilizing skills and abilities honed previously as a senior manager in a law department that included 500+ lawyers and their professional and administrative support teams. LEGAL/BUSINESS EXECUTIVE Working with large business units, I have addressed an extensive range of legal/business issues: data security, technology development, intellectual property, network deployment, and field operations among them. I have also served as lead counsel for corporate strategy, global marketing, and international consumer products. ACQUISITION & REGULATORY OVERSIGHT During a period of broad corporate transformation (at AT&T), I supported some of the Company's largest acquisitions. In addition, I have served as a lobbyist, focused on policy issues.