David Drummond

As Google continues its mission to "make the world’s information universally accessible and useful," it navigates complex legal terrain surrounding free expression and user privacy amidst government demands.

David Drummond, who joined Google in 2002 as Vice President of Corporate Development, now serves as the Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, and Chief Legal Officer. In his role, he leads the company's global teams in legal, communications, government relations, corporate development, and new business development.

Before his employment at Google, Drummond was introduced to the company in 1998 while working as a partner in the corporate transactions group at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, a premier law firm specializing in technology businesses. As Google's first outside counsel, he played a pivotal role working alongside founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to incorporate Google and secure its initial rounds of financing. His tenure at Wilson Sonsini also included managing complex transactions for various technology companies, such as mergers, acquisitions, and initial public offerings.

Drummond has spearheaded Google’s ambitious project to create a comprehensive digital library, now boasting over seven million titles. This initiative, known as Google Books, was met with controversy from various stakeholders including authors, academics, and public interest groups. A significant development occurred in late 2009 when Google, alongside the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers, revised their agreement to address these concerns.

Educationally, Drummond received his bachelor's degree in history from Santa Clara University and his J.D. from Stanford Law School. This foundation has equipped him to adeptly handle the intricate legal and developmental challenges he faces at Google.