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David Zapolsky

Professional Background

David Zapolsky is a distinguished legal professional with a robust background in law and corporate governance, exemplifying over two decades of service and impactful contributions at Amazon, a global leader in e-commerce and technology. Currently serving as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at Amazon, David plays a pivotal role in steering the company through increasingly complex legal landscapes. His leadership and strategic counsel have been instrumental in guiding Amazon's business operations and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Throughout his career at Amazon, David's trajectory from Associate General Counsel to his current position illustrates his remarkable growth and the trust placed in him by the organization. His tenure includes various high-level roles, such as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, where he has developed and implemented legal strategies that have supported Amazon’s explosive growth and expansion into diverse markets.

Before his impactful career at Amazon, David honed his legal expertise as a Partner at prestigious law firms, Dorsey & Whitney LLP and Bogle & Gates. His early legal experiences also include serving as an Associate at the renowned firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and as an Assistant District Attorney for the Kings County District Attorney's Office. These positions laid the groundwork for his keen understanding of both corporate law and criminal justice, uniquely positioning him to navigate complex legal scenarios as they pertain to business operations.

Education and Achievements

David Zapolsky's academic journey showcases his dedication to both law and the arts. He earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law, one of the nation’s top law schools. Alongside his legal education, David holds an A.B. in Music from Columbia University in the City of New York. This diverse educational background reflects his multifaceted interests and talents, allowing him to bring a unique perspective to the legal field.

In addition to his significant roles at Amazon and prior law firms, David has contributed to various organizations and initiatives, further establishing his reputation as a thought leader in corporate law. His legal insight and strategic vision have influenced major business decisions, helping shape Amazon’s policies and practices in innovative and responsible ways.

David is known for his ability to bridge the gap between legal advice and business strategy, fostering a proactive approach within legal teams. He champions the importance of compliance and ethics, ensuring that Amazon not only adheres to legal standards but also sets the benchmark for corporate responsibility.

Notable Achievements

  • As Amazon's Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, David has played a crucial role in navigating the legal challenges linked to Amazon's exponential growth, helping the company to maintain its reputation as a pioneer in the technology sector.
  • His leadership in legal and regulatory matters has empowered Amazon to innovate responsibly while safeguarding the interests of its vast customer base and stakeholders.
  • Throughout his impressive career, David has been noted for implementing forward-thinking legal strategies that align with business objectives, thereby driving significant advancements within the company.
  • His previous experience as an Assistant District Attorney has endowed him with a nuanced understanding of both the legal and ethical dimensions of business operations, allowing him to provide invaluable guidance to Amazon.

David Zapolsky's rich career reflects his commitment to excellence in legal service and corporate governance. His unique combination of expertise in both law and music enriches his perspective as a legal strategist, making him a respected figure in the industry. David’s professional journey is characterized by his unwavering dedication to integrity, innovation, and responsible leadership, setting the standard for attorneys in the tech world and beyond.

Highlights

Aug 12 · linkedin

In 2012, Amazon acquired IVONA Software, a text-to-speech technology company based in Gdańsk, Poland, a city well-known for its high standard of computer science education. At the time, IVONA’s employees were already working on technologies for Kindle Fire tablets, as well as providing text-to-speech products and services for developers, businesses, and the public.   Amazon invested in the IVONA team’s technology on a global scale, with that technology eventually becoming an important part of the voice of Alexa. Ten years later, there are more than half a billion Alexa devices out there with customers, and the number of employees based at the Amazon Development Center in Gdańsk has increased more than tenfold.   It’s a great example of an international acquisition by Amazon having a truly global impact with our customers, as well as the positive impact our investments have at a local level. Thank you to Adam, Patryk, and Magdalena in Gdańsk for telling the story!

Aug 5 · linkedin

In the nearly 25 years that I’ve been at Amazon, I’ve seen first-hand the impact of our investments in local communities across the U.S. Working with Keystone Strategy and Amazon economists to dive deeper into the data, we recently found:

  1. Our investments have contributed over $1 trillion to the U.S. GDP since 2010.
  2. We support almost five million jobs across the country through both the people we hire and our investment in communities.
  3. We’ve invested over $280 billion in more than 1,000 small towns and rural areas across the U.S.
  4. Communities that have investments from Amazon see an increase in median household income.
  5. Our hourly associates tell us their pay at Amazon is an average of 7% higher than where they worked before.
  6. We’ve committed over $1.2 billion on education, upskilling, and pre-paid tuition to support our hourly employees career goals.

Take a look at our 2024 Economic Impact Report to learn more about how we are supporting job creation and economic growth in the U.S.

Related Questions

How did David Zapolsky's background in music inform his approach to legal strategy at Amazon?
What specific legal challenges has David Zapolsky successfully navigated during his tenure at Amazon?
In what ways has David Zapolsky contributed to corporate governance at Amazon?
How has David Zapolsky's education from UC Berkeley and Columbia University shaped his legal career?
What are some of the key innovations in legal practices that David Zapolsky has implemented at Amazon?
David Zapolsky
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Location

Seattle, Washington, United States