Despite significant antitrust defeats, Alphabet’s Kent Walker just became the first U.S. general counsel to surpass $30M in annual pay. The milestone spotlights Big Tech’s resilience—and raises questions about corporate accountability in the face of regulatory challenges. #CorporateCounsel #Antitrust #BigTech
Despite a series of courtroom setbacks—including major antitrust losses in cases brought by Epic Games and the U.S. Department of Justice—Alphabet’s top legal executive, Kent Walker, broke new ground by becoming the first U.S. general counsel to surpass the $30 million compensation mark.
According to a recent SEC filing, Walker received $30.17 million in 2024, driven largely by stock awards, reflecting Alphabet’s robust financial performance. The company’s revenue rose 14% to $350 billion, profits surged 36% to $100 billion, and its stock gained 36%.
Yet, Alphabet’s legal defeats have not gone unnoticed. Courts found the tech giant operated unlawful monopolies in its Play Store, search, and advertising technology—prompting the DOJ to consider remedies as far-reaching as divesting Chrome or rewriting major device agreements.
Walker, Alphabet’s president of global affairs and chief legal officer since 2006, oversees legal, regulatory, and public policy matters, roles increasingly central to navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
This milestone underscores a broader trend: even as regulators tighten their grip on Big Tech, investor confidence—and executive compensation—can remain resilient, revealing the delicate balance between corporate governance, market forces, and regulatory action.
Published May 1, 2025.
