From Legal Counsel to Market Leader: How Lawrence Grabau Reinvented His Career
Our 2025 white paper posed the question, “Why are lawyers underrepresented in CEO roles?” The response to the publication was so overwhelmingly positive that the team decided to continue the conversation. We launched an interview series with Heads of Legal and General Counsel to explore what it truly takes to step out of one’s comfort zone and progress up the in-house career ladder. Although these legal leaders offered a wide range of perspectives, common themes emerged throughout their stories: pushing past fear and remaining open to the new and unknown.
In this latest interview in our in-house legal series, we’re joined by Lawrence Grabau, General Manager, Pizza Hut Germany and former Chief Legal Officer for Pizza Hut UK & Europe
Lawrence Grabau
- Current Role: General Manager, Pizza Hut Germany (since April), following a successful tenure as Chief Legal Officer for Pizza Hut UK & Europe.
- Previous Experience: Spent 10 years at Mayer Brown in the City before moving in-house; held senior legal roles at KFC and Pizza Hut.
- Career Pivot: Transitioned from a traditional legal role to a senior operational leadership position, leveraging commercial exposure and strategic projects.
- Unique Challenge: Leading a major market in a language he doesn’t speak fluently, demonstrating adaptability and resilience.
- Key Strengths: Emphasizes leadership over technical expertise, clarity in communication, and creating inclusive environments for problem-solving.
Lawrence Grabau
Chief Legal Officer, Interim GM (Germany), Pizza Hut UK & Europe
As lawyers, we’ve all been trained to be focused on solutions, but as a CEO or GM, your job is actually more about creating an environment where you create opportunities for others to do that.
Lawrence faced significant challenges moving into a non-traditional legal role, including stepping outside his technical comfort zone and overcoming imposter syndrome. He quickly realized that success as a general manager wasn’t about being the subject-matter expert in marketing or operations, it was about leadership. His biggest hurdle was shifting from a problem-solving mindset, ingrained through years of legal training, to a facilitative approach that empowers others to find solutions.
Lawrence advises aspiring career changers to challenge their own perceptions and self-doubt, as these often pose the greatest barriers. He stresses the importance of clarity in communication and creating an inclusive environment where teams can thrive. Finally, he encourages lawyers to “try it on for size” by volunteering for cross-functional projects, proving capability through action rather than words.
The GC Series Wrap-Up Event: General Counsel Horizons
To celebrate the conclusion of our GC Series, we would like you to join us for an exclusive evening event out our Crown Place London office.
Where? Pinsent Masons, 30 Crown Place, Earl Street, London, EC2A 4ES
When? Thursday 19 March @ 6pm
Spaces are limited; click below for more details and to register your interest.