Union Pacific announces Chief Legal Officer Craig Richardson to retire, and names Christina Conlin SVP and Deputy General Counsel

Union Pacific Railroad today announced Craig Richardson, executive vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary, will retire March 31, 2025, after nearly 10 years with the railroad.

In anticipation of the transition, Christina Conlin, who most recently served as chief risk officer and associate general counsel with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, will join Union Pacific effective Dec. 2 as senior vice president and deputy general counsel.

“Craig’s service to Union Pacific and extensive legal expertise helped our company through a time of significant change and transformation,” said CEO Jim Vena. “As his retirement date approaches, we are focused on ensuring a smooth transition given the critical role he plays. Christina will be a part of that transition and bring fresh perspectives and insights to our company’s dynamic legal and regulatory landscape.”

Richardson has served in his current role since December 2020, overseeing all aspects of the company’s legal affairs and leading its claims management team. Before joining Union Pacific as associate general counsel in 2016, he was principal shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, and vice president and general counsel of the El Paso Pipeline Group. Richardson also held various national security positions in the U.S. government and is a retired commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

In her new role, Conlin will help advance Union Pacific’s Safety, Service, and Operational Excellence strategy, infusing it with her legal expertise. She will serve as steward of legal affairs, protecting the railroad’s reputation and mitigating risk, and provide strategic counsel to the railroad’s senior leadership team.

In her most recent role at Goodyear, Conlin led the Legal Enterprise Risk group, which included legal oversight for labor and employment; regulatory affairs; environmental, health, and safety; compliance and ethics; and sustainability reporting. She also previously served as a partner at Baker McKenzie in its International Commercial group and held multiple roles at McDonald’s Corporation, including European chief compliance officer. She started her career as a private practice trial lawyer.

“While it is still too soon to congratulate Craig on his retirement just yet, please join me in extending a warm Union Pacific welcome to Christina,” Vena said.