(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pfizer Inc today named Amy W. Schulman as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective June 23. In her new role, Ms. Schulman will be responsible for leading Pfizer’s legal division. She will serve on the company’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and will report directly to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey B. Kindler.

Ms. Schulman joins Pfizer from DLA Piper, where she was a partner and co-leader of the firm’s mass tort/class action practice. In that capacity, Ms. Schulman handled some of the most complicated legal, scientific and regulatory issues facing the world’s most respected companies, including Pfizer. While at DLA Piper, Ms. Schulman served as lead national counsel in the multi-district litigation involving Bextra and Celebrex.

“Amy is a highly regarded and effective legal strategist who has vast experience leading large teams of attorneys,” Mr. Kindler said. “We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber join Pfizer. We know first hand the outstanding qualities that Amy brings to us. Her knowledge of the legal, business and regulatory challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry and her experience tackling large, complex cases make her uniquely qualified to lead Pfizer’s legal team.”

Ms. Schulman, 47, joined DLA Piper in 1997 and served on the firm’s Global Board and U.S. Executive and Policy Committees. She also spearheaded a number of the firm’s strategic initiatives, most notably in the areas of client service, diversity and inclusiveness, and mentoring.

“I am honored to join Pfizer, a company with a long and impressive history of pharmaceutical innovation,” Ms. Schulman said. “I am excited about joining the terrific and talented group of colleagues in the Legal Division and look forward to working together with the Pfizer leadership team that Jeff has brought together.”

Ms. Schulman has been recognized repeatedly for her commitment to clients and her skill as a legal advocate. The American Lawyer named her a Top Commercial Litigator in 2006. Chambers USA:America’s Leading Lawyers for Business called Ms. Schulman “one of the best strategic lawyers around.” In 2004, The American Lawyer recognized her as one of the 45 legal superstars under the age of 45.

Ms. Schulman is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Wesleyan University in 1982 where she double majored with honors in philosophy and English. She earned her J.D. from Yale University Law School in 1989.

Ms. Schulman serves on the board of directors of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Equal Justice Works, and is on the steering committee of DRI Drug and Medical Device.

About Pfizer Inc

Founded in 1849, Pfizer is the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company. Pfizer is taking new approaches to advancing better health as it discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers quality, safe and effective prescription medicines to treat and help prevent disease for both people and animals. Pfizer also partners with healthcare providers, governments and local communities around the world to expand access to medicines and to provide better quality health care and health system support. At Pfizer, approximately 85,000 colleagues in more than 90 countries work every day to help people stay happier and healthier longer and to reduce the human and economic burden of disease worldwide.