Eaton, a global leader in intelligent power management, announced today that Lucy Clark Dougherty has been appointed as the company’s new general counsel, effective January 27, 2025. Dougherty will succeed Taras “Terry” Szmagala Jr. as executive vice president and chief legal officer following his retirement, which will take effect on April 4, 2025. Upon taking up her new role, Dougherty will oversee Eaton’s global Legal organization, including its Corporate Governance and Compliance functions. In addition, she will provide counsel to Eaton’s executive management team and Board of Directors. Dougherty will report directly to Paulo Ruiz, Eaton’s president and chief operating officer, and will officially join the company’s executive leadership team as executive vice president and chief legal officer on April 5, 2025.
Craig Arnold, Eaton’s chairman and chief executive officer, expressed his gratitude to Szmagala, who has been with Eaton for nearly 18 years. “Terry has distinguished himself as a results-oriented and community-focused leader. He has built and led a strong Legal team that has provided deep expertise and value to our business operations, all while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to improving the communities where we operate,” Arnold said. “We thank him for his service to Eaton and wish him the best in his retirement.”
Dougherty brings a wealth of legal experience to Eaton. She most recently served as senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary at Polaris, a leading American global powersports manufacturer. In this capacity, she led the company’s global legal team, overseeing government relations, trade, and product compliance, while also serving as a key member of Polaris’s executive leadership team. Prior to joining Polaris, Dougherty had a distinguished career at General Motors, where she held various deputy general counsel and leadership positions. Her career also includes significant public sector experience, having worked within the U.S. Department of Justice and as associate general counsel in the Office of Homeland Security. In a major career milestone, Dougherty was appointed as chief legal officer of the Department of Homeland Security, where she also served as counsel to the secretary.
Dougherty’s impressive academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University, a master’s degree in history from the University of Virginia, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dougherty currently serves on the board of directors of Hertz Global Holdings.
Eaton is an intelligent power management company committed to advancing sustainability and enhancing quality of life across the globe. The company provides innovative products for various sectors, including data centers, utilities, industrial, commercial, residential, aerospace, and mobility markets. Eaton’s mission is to empower businesses and communities with efficient energy solutions, focusing on environmental protection, sustainable operations, and the long-term management of power resources. The company is deeply invested in the global trends of electrification and digitalization, positioning itself to lead the transition to renewable energy sources. By solving the world’s most pressing power management challenges, Eaton strives to create a more sustainable society for future generations.
Founded in 1911, Eaton has been a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange for over a century. In 2023, Eaton reported revenues of $23.2 billion, serving customers in over 160 countries worldwide. For more information about Eaton’s innovative solutions and global operations, visit www.eaton.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn.
As Eaton continues to grow and evolve, the leadership transition from Szmagala to Dougherty represents an important moment for the company. With Dougherty’s broad experience across multiple industries, including both the private and public sectors, she is well-positioned to lead Eaton’s legal functions as the company continues to innovate and meet the power management challenges of the future.
