Edward Blakemore

About Edward Blakemore

I am a seasoned and agile legal executive, trusted business advisor, and experienced manager who brings a practical and business-minded approach to the delivery of legal services.I am General Counsel, Global Litigation and Records Management for Rockwell Automation where I am responsible for the strategic management and defense of all of Rockwell\'s global litigation and claims as well as its records management function. In addition to managing a team of legal professionals, I am primarily responsible for leading several of the Office of General Counsel’s strategic initiatives including those that are focused on:(1) global outside counsel selection, management, and evaluation;(2) in-house counsel career development;(3) monetary recoupment;(4) annual diversity and inclusion-related outside counsel spend goals and initiatives;(5) Board of Directors’ Audit Committee reporting and presentations;(6) the deployment of comprehensive internal employee training on risk mitigation best practices; and (7) establishing, evaluating, and reporting on all of the law department’s key metrics to senior leadership. Prior to joining Rockwell Automation, I was Counsel-Litigation for Eaton Corporation where I managed the defense of a heavy docket of litigation for the Fortune 500 Company. During that time, I managed outside counsel that successfully tried multiple product liability and employment cases to verdict in various jurisdictions and achieved numerous defense victories by obtaining summary judgment or voluntary dismissals of significant litigation and claims. I also oversaw a team of litigation paralegals and worked to successfully position them for future career advancement opportunities.I also obtained significant cross-functional experience in other corporate business units including:(1) the negotiation of significant contracts for the supply chain function;(2) the oversight and management of corporate environmental, health and safety employee fatalities, serious bodily injuries, and regulatory matters;(3) cross-functional experience as the human resources business recruitment partner for 3 corporate functions which resulted in filling 34 open job requisitions with new hires in 18 months; and (4) service as the primary Law Department point of contact for corporate human resources on potential employee terminations and reductions in force, the investigation of allegations of discrimination, hostile work environment, and wrongful termination claims, and counseling on employee relations matters.

Experience

1. General Counsel, Global Litigation and Records Management

   Rockwell Automation

   May 2016 — Present · Cleveland/Akron, OH, US

   I am Chief Litigation and Records Management Counsel for Rockwell Automation where I have direct responsibility for the global management of all litigation and claims as well as its records management function. I am also responsible for leading several of the Law Department’s key strategic initiatives including those that are specifically focused on:(1) global outside counsel selection, management, and evaluation;(2) in-house counsel career development;(3) monetary recoupment;(4) diversity and inclusion-related outside counsel spend goals and initiatives;(5) Board of Directors’ Audit Committee reporting and presentations;(6) the deployment of comprehensive internal employee training on risk mitigation best practices; and (7) reporting on the law department’s key metrics to senior leadership. In 2017, I became Chief Investigation Counsel for the Ombudsman and investigated 47 employee complaints in 18 months. In 2018, I was recognized as the Law Department\'s Value Champion. In 2019, I assumed responsibility for the oversight and strategic vision of our Records Management Office. In 2022, I was recognized by senior leadership as Employee Resource Group Champion for my active involvement in Rockwell’s African-American Professional Network. Oversee and provide strategic guidance to the corporate monetary recoupment program that has recovered over $70 million in the past 6 years. Collaborate with the corporate finance and accounting teams to drive alignment on budgeted outside counsel spend, reserves, and reimbursements from insurance and contractual agreements. Created several internal training programs that continue to be used globally to reduce risk and promote best practices and pre-litigation and litigation lessons learned. Led a cross-functional team that created a new comprehensive policy for insider risk investigations. Promoted within role to the next salary band in 2018. Promoted to General Counsel role in 2022.

Education

• Orange High School

  Diploma

  1988 — 1992

• University of Dayton School of Law

  Juris Doctor

  1996 — 1999

• Morehouse College

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Sociology

  1992 — 1995

Skills

• Mediation
• Legal Advice
• Arbitration
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Product Liability
• Appellate Practice
• Intellectual Property
• Insurance
• Defense
• Medical Malpractice
• Legal Research
• Employment Law
• Corporate Law
• Trials
• Litigation Management