Georgia Magno Thinks Global

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Georgia Magno is responsible for all global legal and compliance matters for Baker Hughes, a multibillion-dollar energy technology company. With more than two decades of experience as a litigator and in-house counsel, the chief legal officer has built a career that spans continents, legal traditions, and industries.

Magno, who earned her LLM at Harvard Law and her JD at the University of Bologna, is as comfortable working in the US as in international markets. She brings an instinctive big picture perspective to legal strategy. “Considering the global nature of many large corporations, like Baker Hughes, the opportunity to study and practice law in both common law and civil law jurisdictions has enabled me to work successfully on negotiations and projects across the globe and to understand and anticipate risks and opportunities at a local and global scale,” Magno says.

“It also instilled a deep appreciation for the nuances of different jurisdictions, legal traditions and cultures, and the importance of cultural context—and respect—in decision-making and leadership,” she continues. “Whether negotiating cross-border agreements or resolving disputes, I strive to be a respectful lawyer and leader and to balance universal ethical principles with local norms and customs.”

Magno has been at Baker Hughes since 2010, with multiple promotions en route to her current CLO role. The attorney has risen through specific legal functions to her current strategic purview as a generalist. In the energy sector, strategy is more essential than ever as the industry evolves rapidly.

“We all have difficult days, and we all need a strong support network that is built over time on trust, respect, inclusivity and integrity,”

Georgia Magno

The attorney says energy is necessary for social progress and is closely intertwined with geopolitical dynamics. Her team must always be two steps ahead of technological trends like artificial intelligence and innovation in sustainable energy technology.

“I truly love my job because I get to be a lawyer and use my expertise to enable the long-term, sustainable growth of a business in a critical industry and in the deployment of remarkable technologies,” Magno explains. “My success and the success of my team depends on our ability to collaborate across functions, acting as a trusted advisor to leadership and helping drive decisions that create true value for our organization and our broader set of stakeholders. That of course includes our employees and their families, but also our customers, suppliers, and communities at large.”

Today, Magno is entrusted with shaping the governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks at Baker Hughes, ensuring they support not just regulatory requirements but the company’s commitment to long-term growth, ethical leadership, and sustainability. In building her own team, the CLO says diversity of thought is critical. To be successful on Magno’s team, technical brilliance is just the starting point. She looks for practical problem-solvers who can think beyond their legal lens to be a business enabler.

“I prioritize hiring individuals with intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence, and strong communication skills,” Magno says. “I value people who can translate complex legal frameworks into actionable advice for stakeholders.”

Though the energy sector has been historically male-dominated, Magno says that at Baker Hughes diversity—in every form—has always been considered a strength and an innovative force. She has always focused on building meaningful relationships, and acting with courage and curiosity to have her voice heard and ensure everyone’s voice is also heard and respected.

“Everyone for one reason or another will face moments where his or her worth may be underestimated due to some unconscious biases, but for me the answer is to remain focused, be well prepared, deliver results, and build a personal and professional support network. We all have difficult days, and we all need a strong support network that is built over time on trust, respect, inclusivity and integrity,” the CLO says.

Magno says networking has been crucial for her career growth and development. Along with cultivating relationships inside Baker Hughes, the CLO has gained diverse insights and perspectives at organizations like World50, The Conference Board, and the Harvard Law School Alumni Association. The attorney says she’s built relationships by being genuinely interested and invested in others. The CLO says her values align with the Baker Hughes motto: “People first.”

“Georgia is a true force. Her impeccable judgment and natural leadership are consistently evident in her relentless advocacy for Baker Hughes,” says Frank Azzopardi, partner and head of IP and commercial transactions at Davis Polk. “I am grateful for our collaboration on some of the most challenging transactions of my career, and I look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

For those looking to widen their own networks, Magno says to keep it simple. Approach connections with authenticity. Work to understand others’ goals just as you would like them to understand your own.

Outside her role, but also in support of it, Magno spends a great deal of time giving back to the community, mentoring young professionals, working with organizations like Save the Children, volunteering with the Baker Hughes Women’s Network and leading the Baker Hughes Pride@Work employee resource group.

“Ultimately, what makes me whole is living a balanced, purpose-driven life that reflects my values both professionally and personally,” Magno sums up.

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