Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) appointed Tony Klapper as General Counsel. Reporting directly to Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of VWGoA, Klapper will oversee the company’s legal team across its brands. As VWGoA continues to break new ground in cutting-edge technologies and advancing electrification, Klapper will serve an important role helping the company navigate an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment.
“Tony is known by his peers as collaborative, proactive, and full of team spirit and that’s in addition to his wealth of knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. He’s a proven leader who expertly creates teams from across business units, brands, and cultures, creating buy-in across a diverse set of interests. His strengths will help us advance new technologies and further electrification,” said Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO Pablo Di Si.
“I’m looking forward to leading VWGoA’s team of amazing legal professionals and deepening our department’s relationships with the Company’s business leaders in order to advance the Company’s objectives together,” said Klapper. “With the ever-evolving legal and regulatory environment in which we operate, I’m excited to help the company navigate the challenges and opportunities we’ll encounter so we continue to earn the trust from our customers.”
Klapper most recently served as Volkswagen Group of America’s Deputy General Counsel for Product Liability and Regulatory Affairs where he led a team defending the Company’s interests and supporting its new technology initiatives.
Prior to joining Volkswagen, Klapper was the Managing Director of a trial consulting company and practiced law as a litigator and trial attorney for over 20 years at two global law firms. At those law firms, Klapper represented major domestic and international nameplate auto manufacturers in litigation and regulatory matters.
Klapper holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Virginia, and an MPA from Princeton University. He obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he served as an Executive Editor of the Law Review.
- As General Counsel, Klapper will lead the company’s legal team and will oversee all legal functions including corporate, intellectual property, product liability, regulatory affairs, privacy, cybersecurity, sales, and marketing.
- Klapper joined Volkswagen Group of America 7 years ago and most recently served as Deputy General Counsel for Product Liability and Regulatory Affairs.
- Klapper brings extensive automotive experience defending company interests, especially in new technology and government regulations.