Staffing

McDonald's general counsel: 'Challenges are complex, but opportunities are significant'

McDonald's has named former Boston Scientific Corporation General Counsel Desiree Ralls-Morrison, a Black corporate leader, to head its global legal operations at a time when it is also being sued by dozens of former and current Black franchisees alleging that they suffered systemic discrimination at the chain.

Desiree Ralls-Morrison will assume the role of McDonald's general counsel and corporate secretary on April 26. (Photo provided)

March 29, 2021

Former Boston Scientific Corporation General Counsel Desiree Ralls-Morrison has been named general counsel and corporate secretary for McDonald's, a news release said. As such she will oversee global legal operations and corporate governance for the massive QSR chain, based in Chicago.

"I'm thrilled that Desiree is joining our team not just for the strong experience she brings, but for the values-based leadership that has defined every aspect of her career," Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's president and CEO said in a company press release. "Her commitment to leading with integrity, along with her work to support positive change in communities, will strengthen our efforts to bring our values to life across the business.

"As the leader of our global legal function, I'm confident that Desiree will build on the strong foundation in place to deepen our commitment to our communities, embed our values across all aspects of the System and help us further bring our Accelerating the Arches growth strategy to life."

Prior to Boston Scientific Corporation, Ralls-Morrison served as general counsel and corporate secretary at the pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim USA Inc., and general counsel of the Consumer Group at Johnson & Johnson. Ralls-Morrison serves on the board for Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. and was previously a director for The Partnership Inc., which its website said supports multicultural professionals at all levels globally.

She graduated from Harvard and is a founding member of The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund in Massachusetts. In 2019 Ralls-Morrison was named one of the most powerful women in corporate America by Black Enterprise Magazine.

"McDonald's role in communities is known throughout the world, and I am proud and humbled to be joining a company with such an immense impact," Ralls-Morrison said in the release. "The challenges are complex, but the opportunities are significant. I look forward to leading this talented legal team as we support Chris, the Senior Leadership Team and the entire System to deliver on McDonald's business priorities and its vital purpose to feed and foster communities."

Last September, 52 Black former franchisees filed suit alleging systemic discrimination at the chain, with additional plaintiffs joining that suit late in October 2020. Last month, former professional baseball player and current McDonald's franchisee, Herbert Washington, filed suit against McDonald's making similar allegations regarding his career as a Black owner and operator with the chain.

McDonald's has more than 39,000 locations worldwide and is based in the West Loop area of Chicago.