Elaine Darr Brings Transformation and Value to DHL’s Business

Elaine Darr, executive legal counsel at DHL Supply Chain, embodies the intersection of legal acumen and business leadership that defines excellence in a deputy general counsel.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, for Bonn, Germany-headquartered DHL, Darr has delivered measurable value to the company by driving innovation, fostering seamless cross-company collaboration, and championing teamwork. Notably, she has been integral in the adoption of transformative technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, positioning DHL at the forefront of industry advancements.

“Elaine’s enthusiasm for adopting cutting-edge technology results in more efficient processes and superior performance, transforming hurdles into opportunities for growth and success for both the organization and the members of its in-house legal team,” said Amanda Wickline, senior legal counsel at DHL. “She possesses a unique talent for simultaneously focusing on the ‘now’ and the ‘next,’ crafting solutions that address today’s issues while anticipating tomorrow’s challenges.”

Early in her career, Darr pioneered the strategy and vision for establishing a legal operations team at DHL automating repetitive costs, analyzing the costs of legal services, and implementing technology and analytics to run the legal department like a business. In 2017, this caught the attention of her company, which appointed her vice president of operations where she held joint profit and loss responsibility for a fulfillment and distribution portfolio generating over $1 billion in annual revenue.

Darr’s contributions have helped DHL hit key financial and non-financial performance metrics, which in the supply chain and logistics industry is very difficult even for those business professionals with years of operating experience.

“Elaine brings value to our department and the business partners we serve by focusing on progress and innovation, even when it is not the easy path,” said Allison Haedt, senior associate general counsel at DHL. “She does this while always maintaining a clear focus on results and valuing our team members as whole people.”

In recognition of her support of DHL’s legal department and the vision of its chief legal counsel Mark Smolik, Darr received her award on Nov. 13, at The American Lawyer Industry Awards in New York City.

“I am particularly grateful for this award because it highlights my approach to managing legal services, which is rooted in a strong customer-centric focus,” Darr said. “I firmly believe that legal services should enable business growth, maintain business intimacy, and create a true value proposition for an organization. It has been my constant endeavor to align legal strategies with the goals and objectives of our company, ensuring that our legal function acts as a strategic partner to drive success.”