Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has announced the appointment of Abby Bried as its vice president and general counsel. In this role, Bried will advise on laws, regulations, public policy, ethics and risks that impact the company. She will also oversee and lead Panasonic Avionics’ legal team in its delivery of legal services and other resources throughout the company to accomplish its corporate goals, strategies and priorities. In addition, Bried will serve as a member of Panasonic Avionics’ senior leadership team, developing and leading its corporate legal strategy.
Abby Bried will report directly to Jessica Hodkinson, VP, general counsel and secretary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, with a ‘dotted line’ reporting structure to Panasonic Avionics’ president and CEO, Ken Sain.
Ken Sain stated, “We are delighted to welcome Abby to Panasonic Avionics. With her longstanding experience and proven track record as a legal counsel, and deep-rooted knowledge of aviation, we know she will be a great asset to our business.”
Bried has more than 25 years of experience in the aviation industry as a trusted legal advisor and business partner at three major US carriers, namely Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines and United Airlines, where she was associate general counsel from 2012 to 2017.
She joins Panasonic Avionics from the international law firm, Jenner & Block LLP, where she was a Washington DC-based partner, tasked with building a new aviation and aerospace practice group that focused on commercial aviation as well as emerging technologies in operational and manufacturing areas.
Bried said, “As aviation recovers from its biggest economic challenge, Panasonic Avionics will play a crucial role in transforming the customer experience and enhancing airline operations, and I am thrilled to be joining this innovative industry leader at this critical time.”
Bried is certainly suitable for the role as she is recognised as a global legal, compliance and diversity leader in the aviation industry, with key roles in trade associations including IATA (International Air Transport Association) and A4A (Airlines for America). She is also a former president of the International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA).
She attended Southern Methodist University where she studied Political Science and Asian Studies, followed by a juris doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
