Indian American attorney and public-policy leader Manav Kumar has been appointed chief legal officer of AECOM, the Dallas-based global infrastructure consulting firm. The appointment takes effect Oct. 3, when Kumar will also continue serving as corporate secretary.
In the expanded role, Kumar will lead AECOM’s legal and public affairs functions worldwide. He succeeds David Gan, who will become a senior adviser before retiring in 2027. The transition places Kumar on the executive team guiding a Fortune 500 company whose projects span transportation, water, energy, environmental services and buildings.
Kumar currently serves as corporate general counsel and global head of public affairs. Since joining AECOM in 2017, he has held positions across law, public affairs and enterprise leadership. The company said he has advised on major business, governance and strategic matters, including AECOM’s evolution into a professional services organization.
Before joining the company, Kumar worked in both government and private practice. He served as deputy counsel to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and as chief Olympics officer for the city during its successful campaign to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Earlier in his career, Kumar served as special assistant for foreign affairs and defense to U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and worked on Sen. John Kerry’s transition team for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also clerked for Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and practiced law at two firms.
The son of immigrants from India, Kumar grew up in Milwaukee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in South Asian studies and government from Harvard College and a law degree from Yale Law School. He was selected as a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow for New Americans in 2008.
AECOM reported $16.1 billion in revenue for fiscal 2025 and works with public and private clients around the world. Kumar’s promotion gives an Indian American legal executive responsibility for governance, legal strategy and public affairs at one of the largest U.S.-based infrastructure firms.
Key Takeaways About Manav Kumar
- He will become AECOM’s chief legal officer on Oct. 3.
- He will lead the company’s legal and public affairs functions worldwide.
- He has worked at AECOM since 2017.
- He helped Los Angeles secure the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- He earned degrees from Harvard College and Yale Law School.
