The Offices of the General Counsel

Legal Practice Areas, Ethics and Compliance
A sense of mutual respect and mindfulness permeates our culture-in fact, it’s the key to our success.

Practice areas
Click below for more information on our Legal Practice Areas

Hear from our General Counsel

Meet Jennifer Zachary, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. 

Learn how she leads and what inspires her to bring her best self to work.
JenniferZacharyHi-Res-2026
A sense of mutual respect and mindfulness permeates our culture-in fact, it’s the key to our success.

FAQs on hiring process

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"I’m an Executive Vice President and General Counsel, leading the Offices of the General Counsel, which includes Legal, Ethics and Compliance, Global Safety & Environment, and Global Security and Aviation. But my role is more than legal advice. It’s about public health. For more than 130 years, our company has been focused on saving and improving lives. As guardians for the company - whether as lawyers, compliance officers, safety or security professionals, the work we do every day advances our company’s important lifesaving mission. There aren’t many places you can work where you can have that kind of impact."

"I lead with curiosity and humility. I’m a lifelong learner, and there’s nothing more rewarding than learning from someone with deep expertise in their field. I lean on and celebrate my team’s strengths, and in doing so, I gain a clearer perspective on what they bring to the table. Our work is often high stakes, so I set high expectations. But I also know when to step back and let my team shine, providing the support they need. Employees thrive when you give them trust and room to grow."

"I am driven by patients. No matter your role, everything we do ultimately leads to them. At work, we face challenges that might frustrate or overwhelm us, but they pale in comparison to what patients endure. Like many people, I’ve seen how illness can slowly take everything from someone, and in those moments, their families, their doctors, and the patients themselves are counting on us. That urgency drives me every day; it’s what keeps me focused on why we do what we do."

"Our purpose - to use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives, it requires diverse perspectives, equitable opportunity, and an inclusive culture. As a leader, my role is to help remove barriers so every voice can contribute. True innovation happens when we challenge the status quo with diverse perspectives. When everyone contributes to the work, no one is left out of the solution."

"When it comes to career growth, it's essential to recognize that growth isn't just about climbing the ladder; it's also about expanding your horizons. Here at OGC, there are a wealth of opportunities to both advance and gain diverse experiences. On the legal side, our attorneys, paralegals, and other professionals provide legal support and counseling across the enterprise. Each practice area offers a unique chance to learn, face new challenges, and truly grow."
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Hear from our employees

See what our employees have to say

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 What I find most rewarding about my work is the crucial role we play in promoting animal health, which directly impacts the livelihoods of both animals and humans. Ensuring the well-being of animals through innovative health solutions is not just a job, but a passion that drives me every day. 
Our company culture is truly exceptional, as it emphasizes collaboration, inclusion, and a commitment to excellence. What sets the organization apart is its unwavering dedication to making a difference in the world. The company's mission to improve and prolong the lives of both humans and animals resonates deeply with me, as it mirrors my personal values and dedication to creating a positive impact in the world through legal work.
Renan Palma
Attorney, Animal Health
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As a regulatory lawyer at Merck, one of my primary responsibilities is to advise on regulatory legal issues related to a specific product, from its initial development through post approval.  Each day provides opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the company, whether it is discussing labeling questions with regulatory and clinical colleagues or supporting the business teams in the development of promotional and advertising materials to ensure that they are compliant with laws and regulations.  I’m proud to be part of a company that is doing important work and dedicated to saving and improving lives. 
Meredith W. Nissen 
Attorney, US Regulatory & Research Labs
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The biggest reason I enjoy working at Merck is that it is easy to walk through the door every morning.  What I mean by that is every day cross the turnstile, I am surrounded by incredibly dedicated, selfless individuals whose top priority is always bringing potentially life-saving medicines to people in need.  I am embedded in teams that work tirelessly to improve the wellness of others on a global scale.  When those are the people you work with day in and day out, walking through the door is easy.
J.J Williamson
Attorney, U.S. Commercial and Compliance
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I started here at Merck in June 2022.  I am one of the newest members to join my area here at Merck.  One of the things that stood out to me from the start was the level of professionalism and respect everyone has for each other.  I’ve found that I work best in company environments that allow their employees to utilize more independent thinking, while also creating spaces for collaboration to happen naturally.  It is this level of trust and autonomy that empowers individuals to take initiatives and for colleagues to connect genuinely and make meaningful contributions to the company.  I am excited to be a part of a company like Merck that values, professionalism, respect, and supports their employee’s ideas. 
Felicia Coxhead 
Paralegal, Litigation
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As a Company, we are committed to fair and equitable access for all. That includes the Office of General Counsel's commitment to pro bono for communities around the world. For 30 years, we have been a pioneer in-house pro bono programming. Our work spans a broad range of areas: immigration and refugee representation; election protection; bankruptcy relief; landlord-tenant; non-profit representation; Holocaust survival cases; autonomy and identity clinics and more. I am honored to part of a group dedicated to helping improve the lives of others. This focus is what brought me here, and it is what keeps me here
Tessie Kenney
Attorney, US Regulatory & Research Labs
A sense of mutual respect and mindfulness permeates our culture-in fact, it’s the key to our success.

Life at Merck

Discover what life at Merck is all about.

Explore our culture, benefits and how we support your wellbeing and career journey.
Compensation and benefits

Explore how we support your financial wellbeing, family and future in and outside of work.
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Culture

Discover what it’s like to work in an environment where collaboration, respect and curiosity thrive.
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Health and wellbeing

Your health. Your balance. Your future.
Learn how we create a workplace that supports your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing every day.
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How we hire

Your journey starts here.
Understand our hiring process and get tips to help you find the role that fits your skills and aspirations.
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This careers website is intended for Residents of the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. Residents in other markets, please visit our MSD Careers page. Information on this site is for the purpose of presenting career opportunities at our organization and give our audience a view of our culture and growth opportunities. Our company is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and inclusive employment practices and welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and experiences.