About

Over the course of his career Michael Sukenik has built up an impressive array of experience in the legal sector, from working in private practice, in-house and at the US Court of Appeals. In his current role at multinational restaurant operator Yum! Brands, Sukenik covers a wide range of practices and geographies. Based between Dallas, Texas and Miami, Florida, Sukenik holds the role of chief legal officer covering Latin America and the Caribbean for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut, two of the holding company’s most prominent restaurant brands. This position sees him advising on legal and compliance matters in over 40 jurisdictions, and sitting on the executive leadership teams of both brands. In addition, he acts as senior counsel for KFC and Pizza Hut globally. As one nominator observes, ‘not only does he have a huge job, but he also excels at what he does. He has a sharp and aggressive legal mind, but importantly, he always has his eye on the Yum’s business goals. He has helped re-shape that business while navigating legal regimes across numerous countries. Sukenik is pragmatic and creative, and challenges those he works with to produce the best end result, ensuring success.’ Since Sukenik joined Yum! Brands in 2013 he has worked on a number of crucial matters including advertising, licensing, governance, data privacy, trademark protection, ethics and compliance. Before he moved in-house, Sukenik spent two years as an associate at law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher where he represented a number of clients in regulatory, trial and appellate proceedings. Between 2010 and 2011 he was law clerk to the Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in Philadelphia. He has also had spells as an associate at Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz, and Latham & Watkins, both in Chicago.