John Mellen became general counsel of Ford effective Aug. 1, 2020. He reports to Jim Farley, Ford CEO.

Mellen advises the company’s senior management and board of directors on a wide range of legal issues.  He leads a global team that supports Ford’s automotive, financial services and mobility businesses and represents the company in all legal matters.    

Previously, Mellen was Ford’s associate general counsel for global litigation and regulatory matters. In that role, his team was responsible for all litigation, in areas including product liability, commercial disputes, environmental matters and intellectual property. He and his team also provided legal counsel on automotive safety and environmental regulatory compliance, labor and employment. He has represented the company to a variety of federal and state regulatory agencies.

Mellen joined Ford’s Office of the General Counsel in 1981 and has held positions of increasing responsibility within the department. He was named assistant general counsel in February 1999 and associate general counsel in January 2000, before becoming associate general counsel for global litigation and regulatory matters in September 2010.

Mellen holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Yale University and a juris doctor from the University of Detroit School of Law.