WASHINGTON — The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced today that Kathleen McGuigan, Executive Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, will retire in December 2025, concluding a distinguished legal career that spanned more than a decade at the organization. The internal process to identify her successor is set to begin in June and be conducted internally.
McGuigan joined RILA in 2013 and was promoted to EVP & Deputy General Counsel in 2018. During her tenure, she became a central figure in the organization’s legal and regulatory efforts, known for her strategic leadership and deep engagement with retail legal and compliance leaders. She played a pivotal role in creating peer networks, advancing regulatory advocacy, and supporting some of the largest retailers in the U.S. through a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
“The RILA team and our members are endlessly grateful to Kathleen for the countless ways she has supported the organization and the industry,” said RILA President and CEO Brian Dodge. “Her dedication to excellence, thoughtful counsel and enthusiasm for the retail industry have produced a remarkable record of accomplishments and challenged us all to raise our game. I look forward to working with her throughout the year to continue to deliver exceptional value to retail legal leaders and to ensure a smooth and successful transition.”
Among her many contributions, McGuigan launched a peer group for deputy general counsels in 2014, helping to cultivate the next generation of chief legal officers in the retail sector. She also built a highly regarded regulatory advocacy team, spearheading RILA’s response to critical issues such as climate disclosure regulations and FTC non-compete rulemaking.
“I am very proud of the accomplishments we have made in the past decade - building RILA’s strong team of lawyers and associates, forming deep relationships with retail in-house legal leaders, establishing a record of strong advocacy on behalf of the retail industry and creating new communities, programs, tools and resources to help retailers tackle pressing and challenging problems,” said McGuigan.
“I can honestly say that working at RILA has been one of the most fun, challenging and rewarding legal jobs of my career. Over the next 8 months, I look forward to working with RILA’s leadership and outstanding legal team members to ensure we continue to deliver for RILA members throughout 2025 and beyond.”
In addition to her work with RILA, McGuigan has been instrumental in the success of the Retail Litigation Center and the annual Retail Law Conference, leaving a legacy of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
“Kathleen has been absolutely essential to the growth and success of RILA’s legal team from its inception,” said RILA General Counsel Deborah White.
“She personally mentored each lawyer and member of RILA’s regulatory and compliance team and has launched several professionals into successful new careers even beyond our association. I am personally grateful to Kathleen’s partnership over the years as we have tackled thorny problems and celebrated our team’s great accomplishments. The foundation that Kathleen has set through her example of excellence and the team members she has cultivated will pay dividends to RILA and its members long into the future.”
“I am incredibly grateful for all that Kathleen has done to support RILA members and my peers and me in the retail legal community,” said Maria Leggett, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary at AutoZone.
“The enormous trust she has engendered among retail legal leaders reflects her adept legal skill and selfless commitment to service. I can’t thank her enough for the many ways she has supported me and the industry at-large.”
