Overview

Jim Zappa is a former general counsel with extensive experience in governance, compliance, legal operations, and government affairs. Over the course of his career, Jim has served as a skilled business and legal advisor, as well as a C-suite leader with global experience in complex organizations, and in leading multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams to meet clients’ needs. He has developed extensive knowledge advising senior teams and boards of Fortune 100 companies on compliance and risk management models and governance processes. Jim’s experiences in leadership roles allow him to see the bigger picture on all aspects of legal and compliance operations and governance. He views problems from all angles, and this approach allows him to present clients with both what is possible and practical within their organizations. His focus on relationship-building and strong communication skills lets him deliver critical insights to clients and his ability to navigate challenging situations — particularly during financial or reputational crises — makes him sought-after as a colleague.

Legal & Government Affairs

Before joining Faegre Drinker, Jim served as the executive vice president and general counsel, and then as senior vice president, legal and government affairs at a global, diversified agribusiness firm, where he guided the board and CEO through strategic transformations, governance transitions, and responses to significant compliance, risk and control failures. He also restructured the legal, audit, government affairs and compliance teams and co-led the company’s global COVID-19 response. His leadership extended to leading the team that created the company's first enterprise sustainability framework.

Corporate Compliance & Governance

Jim also has in-depth experience in compliance operations and programming, having served as the vice president and global chief compliance officer at a global innovation and manufacturing company. He also led the company’s international legal organization during a time of dynamic global risk and advanced the company’s global compliance program. He has chaired a compensation committee and contributed significantly to executive compensation governance in his various legal and board roles.

Jim’s firsthand experience— both embedded within international operations and as counsel to and as a member on multiple boards — allow him to better counsel firm clients in areas concerning governance, compliance and fiduciary duties. He understands the processes and systems needed to operate a corporate legal organization effectively and successfully.

Thought Leadership

Jim has spoken at legal education and compliance industry seminars about a wide range of topics, including leadership of corporate legal departments, anti-corruption, and corporate compliance programming and oversight.

Prior Experience

Before transitioning to broader corporate counsel roles, Jim practiced labor and employment law for more than a decade, guiding clients in addressing a range of talent related issues, including risk management, claims and litigation, developing policies, and conducting mergers and acquisitions.

Personal Interests

Jim is an active community volunteer.  He enjoys starting each day with exercise and finding time to read.

Related Legal Services

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Clerkships

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Hon. Richard H. Kyle, 1992-1994

Education

University of Minnesota Law School
J.D. magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Minnesota Law Review (note and comment editor) (1992)

University of Southern California
M.A. in Communication Arts and Science (1989)

Drake University
B.F.A. in Rhetoric and Speech Communications, summa cum laude (1986)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • Leading Today’s Legal Department – Balancing Corporate Legal Demands While Supporting Attorney Wellbeing
    Panelist, Association of Corporate Counsel Minnesota, Minneapolis, February 2023

Leadership & Community

Civic Activities

  • GroundBreak Coalition — Executive Council, 2024-present
  • Alight — U.S. Programs Steering Committee, 2024-present
  • Greater Twin Cities United Way — Board of Directors, 2017-present (Chair, 2022-23); Governance Committee, Vice Chair, 2020-21; Tocqueville Society Cabinet, 2017-20
  • Boy Scouts of America — Northern Star Council, Board of Directors, 2011-21

Honors

  • The Legal 500 — GC Powerlist, 2019