From Legal Expert to Strategic Leader: Rebecca Rawson’s Journey Beyond Law
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 Rebecca Rawson, Senior Managing Counsel at MasterCard.
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Current Role: Senior Managing Counsel at MasterCard, supporting Open Finance and Development Experience business lines across multiple regions.
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Career Journey: Started in private practice, transitioned to professional support lawyer, then moved in-house via secondment to a major UK bank before securing permanent in-house roles and ultimately joining MasterCard.
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Expanded Responsibilities: Beyond legal, Rebecca has taken on governance roles, including executive and non-executive directorships, and temporarily managed compliance and risk functions during organizational transitions.
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Strategic Focus: Known for consistently showing up as a strategic partner—contributing to product development, regulatory strategy, and governance improvements.
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Key Strengths: Combines legal expertise with business acumen, leveraging analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and cross-functional collaboration to influence strategy.
Rebecca Rawson
Mastercard, Senior Managing Counsel
For me, it’s about consistently showing up as that strategic partner for the business, not just a legal one, and that starts with never just outlining a risk, but also giving a recommendation
Her advice to those in a similar position is practical and empowering: start by demonstrating value beyond legal advice, embrace curiosity, and actively seek stretch opportunities. She stresses the importance of financial literacy, product knowledge, and leadership experience paired with a mindset shift toward thinking like a business leader. Rebecca encourages lawyers not to wait until they feel “fully ready” but to learn by doing, make mistakes, and leverage negotiation and communication skills to build trust and influence. Succession planning and productivity techniques are also critical to balancing day-to-day responsibilities with career progression.
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.