Mark Shaw

Executive Vice President & Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer

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Title: Executive Vice President & Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION: As Executive Vice President Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer, Mark provides legal advice to Southwest Airlines Co. on all legal matters. This includes being principally responsible for advising the Board of Directors and Senior Management on a range of legal issues related to the development and implementation of Southwest's business strategy, corporate governance, compliance policies, general corporate matters, and litigation. In this role, Mark also supervises the work of outside counsel retained in legal matters involving the Company, and oversees the company's Governmental Affairs, Real Estate, Corporate Facilities, and Airport Affairs functions.

EXPERIENCE: Attorney with Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP in Dallas for approximately seven years, including six months in Shannon, Ireland, on temporary assignment to GE Capital Aviation Services. Attorney at Southwest Airlines for eight years and then Associate General Counsel – Corporate & Transactions at Southwest Airlines for 4.5 years before serving as Senior Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, Law Degree from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans, La.

LENGTH OF SERVICE AT SOUTHWEST: Started July 2000.

FAMILY: Wife, Kristy, who is a CPA and works as Controller of a small technology company; Son, Matt; Daughter, Lindsey  

PROUDEST MOMENT: The birth of each of my kids

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: Drafting a legal document isn't rocket science – use plain English!