WASHINGTON, D.C. – Karen L. Hale, Esq., a native of Roanoke, was among 19 general counsel honored with the 2026 “Legends in Law” Award at the Burton Awards on June 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1999 by William C. Burton, the Burton Awards are held in association with the Library of Congress and co-sponsored by the American Bar Association. The “Legends in Law” honor recognizes general counsel for outstanding reputation, leadership, integrity, professionalism, and work on matters of national or global significance.
Her mother, Gloria Hale of Roanoke, and her godmother, the Hon. Birdie H. Jamison of Richmond, joined Hale in Washington for the formal awards ceremony and related events. The day’s Burton Awards programming, including the Legends in Law luncheon, awards ceremony, reception, and gala dinner, was held at the Library of Congress.
Hale is Chief Legal and Compliance Officer for Novartis and a member of the company’s Executive Committee. She lives in Basel, Switzerland, and previously held a series of senior legal and compliance roles at AbbVie and Abbott Laboratories, including Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, and Vice President, Deputy General Counsel.
A graduate of North Cross School in Roanoke, Hale earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University and her law degree from the College of William and Mary. Her career in law and compliance has spanned nearly three decades in the pharmaceutical industry and has included leadership on significant legal, governance, and compliance matters.
Hale is the daughter of Gloria Hale and the granddaughter of the late James R. Hale and Carrie M. Hale of Roanoke County.
