Laura Schumacher is executive vice president, general counsel and secretary. She was appointed to her current role in February 2007. Previously, she served as senior vice president, secretary and general counsel. Schumacher joined Abbott in 1990 as a litigation attorney. She has held various positions within the litigation department, including divisional vice president, litigation and vice president, secretary and deputy general counsel. Prior to joining Abbott, Schumacher was an associate attorney with the law firm Schiff, Hardin & Waite in Chicago. Schumacher is on the board of directors for the Clara Abbott Foundation, and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Chicago Network and Chicago Club.