A Shake-up in Stryker’s Legal Department

Stryker Corp.’s chief legal officer is taking on a new role.

Curtis E. Hall, vice president and chief legal officer, has elected to shift to a part-time role as senior legal counsel, and transition the leadership of the company’s legal and compliance function to Michael D. Hutchinson, general counsel. Hall has led Stryker`s legal department since becoming the its first general counsel in 1994.

“I would like to thank Curtis for his many contributions to Stryker throughout his career, including building the global legal and compliance organizations. He has demonstrated consistently strong judgment, leadership and commitment to the growth of the Company,” said Kevin A. Lobo, president and CEO. “We are pleased that he will continue to be involved with Stryker as senior legal counsel, reporting to Mike, and dealing with complex legal matters.”

Hutchinson will expand his role to include corporate compliance and the corporate secretary function, and he will join Stryker`s executive leadership team, effective March 31. He joined Stryker as assistant counsel in June 2008, was promoted to chief legal counsel for the Orthopaedics Group in December 2008, then Stryker deputy general counsel in 2012, and general counsel in 2013.

“Mike has demonstrated outstanding leadership and business partnering skills, and has been working closely with Curtis to allow for a smooth transition into this new role. I am very pleased to have him join Stryker`s executive leadership team,” Lobo added.

Hutchinson worked for several law firms and as an in-house attorney in the Washington, D.C. area before joining Stryker. He received his law degree from the George Washington University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Clark University.

Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Stryker specializes in reconstructive, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products. The company also makes hospital equipment.