- Barnaby will succeed Greg Gallopoulos, who is retiring after more than 15 years as the company’s top lawyer
- He joined General Dynamics in 2018 from Jenner & Block
- CEO Phebe Novakovic called him a “strong leader with a first-rate legal mind”
Nick Barnaby will become senior vice president and general counsel of General Dynamics on Jan. 1, 2027, succeeding Greg Gallopoulos, who is retiring from the post at the end of this year. The Reston, Virginia-based company announced the transition Monday.
Barnaby currently serves as vice president and deputy general counsel. Phebe Novakovic, chair and CEO of General Dynamics and a nine-time Wash100 Award recipient, said Barnaby has earned respect throughout the company and called him a “strong leader with a first-rate legal mind.”
Gallopoulos steps down Dec. 31 after more than 15 years as the company’s top lawyer. Novakovic said he has been a critical part of the leadership team and will be profoundly missed.
What Is Nick Barnaby’s Background at General Dynamics?
Barnaby joined General Dynamics in 2018 as assistant general counsel and has since climbed the legal ranks, advancing to staff vice president and associate general counsel in 2021, and to deputy general counsel and assistant corporate secretary in 2022. Before moving to General Dynamics, he spent more than seven years as a partner at law firm Jenner & Block and earlier practiced at Latham & Watkins. He holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s degree in political communication from the George Washington University.
How Has General Dynamics Reshaped Its Leadership Ranks?
The general counsel transition extends a series of executive changes at the defense contractor over the past year. In December, the company promoted Danny Deep to president and named Dana Maisano to succeed retiring controller William Moss. The moves come amid strong financial momentum: General Dynamics closed fiscal 2025 with $52.55 billion in revenue, up 10.1 percent year over year, and a 30 percent increase in company-wide backlog.
