Coca-Cola Hires Top Ford Lawyer, Spurring In-House Shake-Up (2)

The Coca-Cola Co. and Ford Motor Co. announced new law department leaders Monday after the beverage company snagged the automaker’s top in-house attorney.

Bradley Gayton, general counsel at Ford since early 2016, will join Coca-Cola as senior vice president and general counsel Sept 1. He succeeds Bernhard Goepelt, who retired from the Atlanta-based soft drink giant in February.

“I am looking forward to the new challenges and growth that awaits me in this new role,” Gayton said in a company statement touting his hire. “I have long admired Coca-Cola for its heritage, relevance, and vision and am eager ...