Eaton has announced that Lucy Clark Dougherty has been named general counsel, effective 27 January 2025. Dougherty will succeed Taras “Terry” Szmagala Jr. as executive vice president and chief legal officer upon his retirement, effective 4 April 2025. In this role, Dougherty will serve as counsel to Eaton’s executive management team and its Board of Directors, and will lead the company’s global legal organisation, including the Corporate Governance and Compliance functions. Dougherty will report to Paulo Ruiz, president and chief operating officer, Eaton, and will join the company’s executive leadership team upon her appointment to executive vice president and chief legal officer, effective 5 April 2025.
“Over his nearly 18 years with Eaton, Terry has distinguished himself as a results-focused and community-minded leader,” said Craig Arnold, chairman and chief executive officer. “Terry has built and led a strong Legal team that brings deep expertise and value to our businesses while demonstrating an exceptional commitment to improving the communities where we operate. I thank him for his service to our company and wish him well in retirement.”
Dougherty joins Eaton from Polaris, an American global powersports manufacturer, where she served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Prior to Polaris, Lucy held various deputy general counsel and leadership roles with General Motors. Earlier in her career, Dougherty served as counsel inside the U.S. Department of Justice and as associate general counsel in the Office of Homeland Security before being named chief legal officer of the Department of Homeland Security and counsel to the secretary of Homeland Security.
