Over-Counter Birth Control Pill Maker Brings Back Ex-Law Head

Perrigo Co., a pharmaceutical company that in March began offering the first over-the-counter oral birth control pill in the US, is bringing back its former top lawyer Todd Kingma.

Kingma, who retired from Perrigo in August 2022 after 19 years at the company, will return May 30 as interim general counsel, according to a Tuesday securities filing. Kingma will remain in his role until a permanent successor is found.

He succeeds Kyle Hanson, who was hired two years ago from the top legal role at footwear brands owner Wolverine World Wide Inc.

Perrigo, which is dually based in Dublin, Ireland, and Grand Rapids, Michigan received regulatory clearance last year for its Opill oral contraceptive. The company also agreed in April to a $97 million settlement of a class action case related to its thwarted takeover attempt by Mylan NV in 2015.

Perrigo and Hanson didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Hanson will be special counsel to Perrigo’s chief executive and interim general counsel for strategic litigation after stepping down May 30 as general counsel. She will hold those new positions through Sept. 15 and then shift to an advisory role through Dec. 31.

Hanson collectively received almost $4.6 million in total compensation from Perrigo during fiscal 2023 and 2022, according to the company’s most recent proxy statement. The compensation committee of Perrigo’s board agreed to allow Hanson’s existing equity awards to vest for 36 months and approved $180,000 in relocation benefits.

She will also earn her target 2024 incentive bonus in cash and be eligible for a restricted stock bonus grant of up to $500,000, which will be “based on the achievement of certain milestones related to the securities litigation and related matters in her new role,” the company said.