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When Ryan Washburn joined McKesson in a contract role fresh out of law school, there was no guarantee of what would come next. Unlike the more traditional in-house hires plucked from prestigious firms, Washburn didn’t arrive with a resume stacked with Big Law credentials. What he brought instead was a sharp legal mind, an instinct for strategic relationships, and the relentless drive to turn a short-term opportunity into a long-term career.
Twelve years and five promotions later, Washburn is still at McKesson—now lead counsel of mergers and acquisitions—having helped lead billions in transactional value. His rise isn’t just impressive because it defies industry norms; it’s a case study in how initiative, talent, and mentorship can intersect to redefine what’s possible in the legal profession.
Originally headed for a federal clerkship, Washburn pivoted when the role was unexpectedly delayed. Instead of waiting in line, he took a leap into the unknown—a contract position at an unnamed Fortune-ranked company. It wasn’t long before he realized where he’d landed. “Once I got here, I knew this wasn’t just a stop gap,” Washburn recalls. “This was where I wanted to grow.”
But wanting to grow and being given the space to do so are two different things. Washburn understood that he had to prove his value, quickly and convincingly. “I knew the company wouldn’t continue paying a contractor indefinitely,” he says. “So, I focused on becoming indispensable: delivering high-quality work, building trust with clients, and showing that bringing me on full time was a wise strategic decision.”
It worked. More importantly, it was only the beginning.
Washburn became one of the first attorneys at McKesson to be promoted into a senior role without the standard law firm pedigree—a shift that required more than just strong performance. It demanded advocates. “There was a time when the legal department didn’t promote beyond a certain level unless you had Big Law on your resume,” he says. “Fortunately, my boss and others recognized the risk of losing strong internal talent and made the case for change. I was one of the first to benefit from that evolution.”
Among those advocates was McKesson’s then head of M&A—and now EVP and chief legal officer—who not only saw Washburn’s potential but gave him the chance to prove it on a high-stakes M&A deal. “She’s a brilliant lawyer and leader and saw something in me beyond credentials: a curiosity, a tenacity, and an instinct for the work. That opportunity changed everything.”
Washburn didn’t just rise to the occasion—he delivered at a level typically expected from attorneys with years of deal experience—and was invited to join the M&A team full-time.
Today, Washburn is trusted with structuring and negotiating high-value transactions. He’s a mentor, a leader, and a culture driver within McKesson’s legal department. He’s served on the national board of the company’s employee resource group for young leaders and leads the Corporate, Governance, and Transaction Group’s (CGT) employee recognition efforts.
For Washburn, legal acumen is only part of the equation. The ability to connect across teams, navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and invest in culture—that’s what sets exceptional in-house counsel apart. It’s a philosophy that was nurtured further by the current leader of the CGT, whom he credits with helping refine not just his technical skills, but his ability to think across disciplines and lead with empathy.
His journey underscores an essential truth: great mentors open doors, but it takes vision and courage to walk through them.
“If you can find a place like McKesson, where there’s opportunity for growth and leaders who are willing to invest in you, then going in-house straight out of law school can absolutely be the right call,” he says. “But it only works if you’re willing to do the work and seek out those mentors. No one builds a career alone, but you have to own it.”
From a temporary contract role to becoming lead counsel at one of the world’s largest healthcare companies, Washburn’s story is more than an exception, it’s a blueprint for a new generation of legal professionals. His story is proof that sometimes, the best way to earn a seat at the table is to build your own path to it.
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP:
“As outside counsel, I have worked with Mr. Washburn on numerous matters. He is an excellent attorney, capable of handling complex projects in an effective and efficient manner. I have thoroughly enjoyed my working relationship with Mr. Washburn and look forward to working with him and the rest of the McKesson team in the years to come.”
–George Reinhardt, Partner
