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Litigation in retail rarely takes a predictable path. Claims can come from all directions, facts shift, timelines tighten, and decisions ripple far beyond the courtroom. At DICK’S Sporting Goods (DICK’s), the pressure has grown as the company expands and integrates new operations. Now, the team needs to coordinate across jurisdictions, align business strategies, and rely on strong judgment. That environment shapes Carla Castello’s role as Senior Corporate Counsel, Global Litigation, at DICK’S. She’s developing a centralized litigation function during a time of significant change.
Carla stepped into her role at DICK’S as the company shifted from a national model to a broader, international operation. She oversees a wide range of commercial and consumer litigation across the global enterprise, aligns legal strategies, and evaluates risk. Her work brings together legal insight and commercial judgment, guiding disputes while supporting growth. “It’s a busy time, but there’s a lot of opportunity,” she says. “You can see the impact of decisions in real time, which is really exciting.” Her role keeps her close to business leaders, who expect clarity, consistency, and fast responses as DICK’S grows.
A function built around judgment
Beginning as a fishing tackle store, DICK’S has grown into one of the most influential sports retailers in the world – pioneering House of Sport experiential locations, scaling the GameChanger youth sports platform, and joining forces with Foot Locker to create a global sports retail enterprise. Growth at that pace doesn’t just stretch a business. It tests the systems beneath it.
As the company grew – in scale, in geography, and in ambition – the company made a deliberate choice to consolidate litigation oversight into a centralized practice with one accountable owner. Carla was tapped to lead it.
“Centralizing was a strategic decision,” she says. “It lets us see the full picture, set consistent standards, and bring our best thinking to every matter – wherever it sits in the company.”
Carla values sound judgment over rigid frameworks. “Consistency matters, but judgment matters more,” she highlights. Every case is unique and needs a tailored approach. That conviction shapes her work with outside counsel. She puts a premium on building partnerships, not just managing transactions. “I want our outside firms to be true partners. When business knowledge and subject-matter expertise come together, the work is more effective,” Carla observes.
Managing complexity at scale
The acquisition of Foot Locker reshaped Carla’s portfolio almost overnight, expanding the company’s geographic and operational footprint. With the addition of new operations, employees, and pending matters, Carla now manages combined litigation risks and operational challenges across all banners. The integration makes it necessary for her to track recurring litigation themes across jurisdictions, adapt strategies to local regulatory differences, and address new complexities arising from a broader geographic and operational scope.
Integration made clear responsibility and coordination even more important. Carla now helps leadership navigate disputes across the enterprise, addressing new operational challenges that come from bringing organizations together. Across all of it, her job is to be a trusted partner to the business when complex matters need clear thinking. “We make decisions with the whole company in mind,” she notes. “You own what those decisions mean over time – for the business, for our teammates, and for the athletes we serve.”
Learning business first
When she first joined DICK’S, Carla was supporting the business as employment counsel, working closely with teams across stores, distribution centers, tech offices, and the main headquarters. That exposure gave her context, and a deep understanding of how the business operated. “I learned who we are as a retail organization. Our teammates, our culture, and how we serve our athletes are at the heart of everything we do,” she recalls.
That foundation shapes how she leads in litigation. Carla recognizes that legal issues reach teams far beyond the courtroom. “Building a strong foundation lets you move faster and make better decisions when things get complicated,” she points out.
A business approach to law
Carla’s ability to handle a wide range of different subjects comes from her education and early career. Carla studied economics, philosophy, and law, all of which shaped how she evaluates risk and logic. “Economics teaches you to assess trade-offs and act under uncertainty. Philosophy teaches you to think critically when the answer isn’t obvious. Both of those show up every day in this job,” Carla points out.
Before going in-house, Carla worked in private practice for more than a decade. She started her career in the Washington, DC area, clerked in the Western District of Pennsylvania, and then joined Babst Calland in Pittsburgh, moving from associate to shareholder. She never intended to leave private practice. The shift to in-house happened after she learned more about the DICK’S business and its values. “I started reading everything I could about the company. The more I learned, the more I knew this was the place I wanted to be,” Carla remembers.
That move changed her view of success. In private practice, success was measured in milestones – motions filed, hearings won, matters closed. At DICK’S, the scoreboard is different. “In-house, the question is whether we helped the business move forward. Did we assess risk well? Did we partner with the right people? Did we make the company stronger? That’s how I think about a good day,” Carla adds.
“Carla earned responsibility for managing DICK’S and Foot Locker’s combined global litigation portfolio in under a year—a testament to the diligence, judgment, and adaptability she displays daily. Whether it’s an antitrust question, a consumer issue, or a real estate dispute, she handles it all without missing a beat. She’s an absolute pleasure to work with.”
Brendan Ryan, Partner, Hayden Ryan & Ciullo LLP
Today, Carla is building a team around the centralized litigation function. She starts with people, not just process. She’s intentional about understanding the people on her team, taking time to understand their interests and finding opportunities for growth. “There’s no shortage of meaningful work here. I want our team working on matters that genuinely interest them, so they stay engaged and challenged,” she states.
To Carla, leadership comes from shared accountability and respect for expertise. She sees the legal team as a group of leaders from different backgrounds. “Everyone brings their own expertise. Knowing when to rely on that knowledge and being a strong team player is key,” Carla highlights.
Setting standards
Outside the office, Carla’s life mirrors DICK’S focus on youth sports and is a daily reminder of who DICK’S serves. “When you stay focused on who you’re really working for – the athletes, the teammates in our stores, the kids playing on a Saturday morning – the work gets clearer, even when it’s hard.” That fast pace continues in her workdays, where progress defines success. “A good day is when a problem that felt unsolvable starts to make sense. If we moved things forward, partnered with the right people, and figured it out, that matters,” she says.
Looking ahead, Carla remains focused on trust and sound judgment. She is building, the function is taking shape, and the business it supports is moving fast in every direction. She strives to be a go-to resource when issues cross functions and require judgment people can count on. She sums up, “When something complicated comes up, I want people to say, ‘Let’s see what Carla thinks.’”
As Mark D. Shepard, Management Committee member and General Counsel of Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. observes:
Carla’s preparation, commitment and collegiality made her a valued member of our Litigation Group at the Firm and an attorney who delivered consistently excellent service and results to our clients. In her new role at Dick’s, I am confident that Carla will bring those same qualities to the Litigation Team at Dick’s and provide the leadership and skill to guide Dick’s through an ever increasing and complex litigation environment. We applaud Carla for her accomplishments and the incredible person and professional that she has become.
