2025 In-House Counsel Awards: Kaamil M. Khan

Number of years with firm: 8

Law school: LSU Law (2012)

Legal leadership: Over the past year, I stepped in as president during one of the most challenging periods in our company’s history. Simultaneously with the announcement of my promotion in January, I faced the immediate effects of DOGE policy shifts and am now navigating the uncertainty of a government shutdown. I have demonstrated sustained commitment to industry leadership through ACT-IAC as co-chair of the Treasury Fed Financial FIE, organizing four events for engagement between agency leadership and industry. As a member of the Voyagers Program, I helped raise over $15,000 for K9s for Warriors.

Pro bono work/community or civil involvement: I volunteer with the Consumer Protection Office Hours as part of Legal Services of Northern Virginia, helping individuals understand their rights and navigate issues involving contracts, debt collections and other financial hardships. I am currently scheduled to staff two sessions in November. I also serve as general counsel for OPEN, a nonprofit that promotes entrepreneurship in the Washington, D.C. area, where I advise on governance and compliance matters.

On my identity/background: Being an older brother has been the perfect training ground for a legal career. Years of settling disputes without authority taught me persuasion; years of being “never wrong” honed my confidence; and years of sibling debates refined my rebuttal skills to a near-lethal edge. I entered the law well-prepared — having already survived cross-examination at the family dinner table.

Most pressing issue that IHCs face: Navigating heightened risk amid constant policy and market uncertainty. Legal leaders must go beyond compliance to serve as integrators — connecting legal insight with operational, financial and strategic decision-making.