Professional Overview
Chris Leslie is an accomplished General Counsel and Chief Legal & Compliance Officer with over 30 years of experience in the technology industry. He is a strategic legal and compliance leader who partners closely with executive teams to drive business growth while ensuring robust governance and risk mitigation.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As General Counsel and Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Hitachi Digital, Chris oversees all legal, compliance, and risk management functions for the global technology organization. He provides expert counsel on complex commercial transactions, intellectual property matters, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. Under his leadership, the legal team has been instrumental in expanding Hitachi Digital's international footprint while proactively managing an evolving risk landscape.
Career Progression
Chris has held progressively senior legal roles within the Hitachi group of companies, including serving as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer at Hitachi Vantara since 2017. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Hitachi Data Systems, where he led the legal strategy during a period of significant business transformation. Earlier in his career, Chris held General Counsel positions at Everex Systems and served as Senior Director of Legal at Sun Microsystems.
Academic Background
Chris holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where he graduated with distinction. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.
Areas of Expertise
- Corporate governance and compliance
- Commercial contracts and negotiations
- Mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships
- Intellectual property management
- Regulatory affairs and risk mitigation
- Leadership of global legal and compliance functions
Professional Impact
During his tenure, Chris has been instrumental in guiding Hitachi's legal and compliance strategies, contributing to the company's successful expansion into new markets and the integration of strategic acquisitions. He is recognized for his ability to balance business objectives with robust risk management, and for fostering a collaborative, solution-oriented approach within the legal function.
Conclusion
With his deep industry expertise, strategic acumen, and demonstrated track record of excellence, Chris Leslie is a trusted advisor and transformative legal leader who continues to drive value for Hitachi Digital and its global stakeholders.
