As chief counsel for Booz Allen, I help the firm negotiate transactions, develop solutions to complex legal questions, provide training on substantive legal topics, keep abreast of legislative and administrative changes that affect the organization, resolve disputes, and adapt to ever-changing compliance requirements. In an environment that’s as innovative and complex as Booz Allen’s—with new offerings and programs—my focus is continuously evolving.
From my perspective, motivating people is about finding the right intersection between organizational requirements and individual interests, skills, and talents. Once that’s found, motivation and employee engagement naturally follow.
Josh Petty is the firm's chief counsel. In this role, Josh works collaboratively across the firm with various stakeholders and is responsible for leading various legal initiatives, providing management with legal advice, playing a major part in managing the legal department, and collaborating with outside counsel on certain complex legal matters.
Josh’s areas of legal expertise include commercial and government contracting, compliance programs, crisis management, corporate investigations, data protection, technology transactions, intellectual property, dispute resolution, and risk assessments.
Before joining Booz Allen, Josh was a managing director at Accenture where he held several senior positions in the company’s legal group. Josh co-led a team of approximately 70 lawyers, numerous outside counsel, and contractor resources that handled thousands of client transactions annually, representing over $9 billion in annual revenue across all of the company’s North America operations. Josh also served as Accenture’s global government compliance officer and implemented several compliance initiatives including enhanced policies, procedures, and training materials for the company’s global government compliance program.
Before joining Accenture, Josh worked for Lockheed Martin Mission Systems.
Josh earned his B.B.A. in finance from The George Washington University, his M.S. in international business from Johns Hopkins University, and his J.D. from John Marshall School of Law.
What excites you most about working as corporate counsel? In-house counsel benefit from the unique position of being imbedded with company leadership, understanding the company culture, and appreciating the relevant business context, which is a particularly important factor in providing the best possible legal advice. I love solving problems and advancing the business, so whether it’s negotiating a client contract or resolving a dispute, I enjoy advising my internal clients—the firm’s leaders—on how to navigate complex situations. I enjoy being a businessman who happens to be a lawyer.
That seems more like something that a strategist would say rather than an attorney. That’s how I describe myself: a businessman who happens to be a lawyer. I am honored to participate in several leadership teams across the firm and when I participate with these teams I don’t want to be viewed solely as a lawyer. I want to be an integrated part of a business. I have been fortunate to work with great people, great companies, and great brands. Helping the company reach new levels of success while advancing the careers of my colleagues is something that is particularly meaningful to me.
Why do you work at Booz Allen? Our people, purpose, and values are why I work for Booz Allen. I am drawn to Booz Allen for its broader mission. Because we support our clients with important mission-critical initiatives, there’s a higher, broader purpose, without question. I am passionate about the firm’s purpose: empower people to change the world.
Do you have any tips for younger professionals? Network (including finding several mentors), ask questions, and find your passion. And don’t specialize too early. One of the secrets to happiness is establishing and maintaining good relationships. Another secret is finding a role that you are passionate about—do not follow a path unless it creates passion. Ultimately, many people measure satisfaction by the amount of time spent doing meaningful things with inspiring people. That can be both personal and professional.
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