Adina Storch – Global Industrial

In the ever-evolving world of industrial distribution, Global Industrial stands out as a stalwart partner to businesses that must stay productive, safe, and competitive. As a provider of industrial equipment, supplies and MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) solutions, Global Industrial serves businesses of all sizes and the public sector. It is committed to delivering the right products, services, and industrial-strength advice to help them thrive.

Adina Storch | Global Industrial | Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary

But behind the vast inventory, exceptional customer service, and seamless operations lies a strong legal framework—one led by a small but mighty legal team under the steady hand of Adina Storch.

As the senior vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary for Global Industrial, Storch anchors the company’s legal and compliance strategy. With a background steeped in litigation, international capital markets, and commercial transactions, she brings legal acumen and a rare balance of confidence and humility to her role—traits that have enabled her to lead through a period of organizational growth and executive transition.

“I love the practice of law,” she says. “It’s a source of infinite fuel for me—I want to be in the trenches solving problems.”

A lean team making a significant impact

Storch’s legal department may not have dozens of attorneys, but it operates precisely, flexibly, and purposefully. Her leadership emphasizes the importance of doing more with less, eschewing a model that is heavily reliant on outside counsel.

“I’m not a farming-out GC,” she says. “I roll up my sleeves and draft solutions myself. I’ve always been a lawyer before a manager.”

Her team includes one seasoned generalist and another attorney she is currently training to step into a broader role, a contracts manager, as well as senior administrative support. Everyone knows their roles and their lanes.

“We’re a happy little bunch. No one is jockeying for favor. We have great synergies, and we’re all aligned around the mission,” Storch explains.

That mission is to serve as business enablers, not roadblocks. Storch has intentionally rebranded legal within the company as a “kinder, gentler function” that enables responsible risk-taking.

“I have found that people in enterprise generally either run from legal because they think we’ll slow them down or run to us to provide a vehicle for safe passage,” she says. “We’ve worked hard to become the latter.”

“We’re not in an ivory tower. We’re partners,” she explains. “Our internal clients come to us with problems, and we work together to solve them.”

Shifting the spotlight

A self-described perpetual student, Storch believes great lawyers must distinguish between deep expertise and acknowledging their limitations.

“You have to know what you don’t know,” she says. “But you must also know your worth and the value that you bring.”

It’s this ethos that drives her leadership. “I encourage my team to speak up when they don’t know something. It’s a sign of strength and an opportunity to grow,” she says. “I want them to feel confident in their skill set, but also unafraid to admit what they do not yet know.”

In team meetings, she cultivates safe, honest discussions of mistakes that foster learning and openness.

“If we can’t embrace failure, we’ll never grow into better lawyers,” she says.  “An inquisitive mindset is essential to being an effective business leader, and this requires humility.”

She also practices what she calls “spotlight shifting,” a technique she uses to intentionally elevate her colleagues during meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

“If someone on my team speaks up, I imagine a spotlight shining on them,” she says. “That’s their moment. I make sure no one robs them of it.”

Her mentoring philosophy is rooted in authenticity. Having had primarily male mentors and few female role models, Storch learned early on that mimicking others’ leadership styles doesn’t work.

“You can’t fake authenticity,” she says. “I want my attorneys to grow into their own styles. I’m here to support that evolution.”

Being a strategic partner

Storch’s view of legal as a strategic function—not a siloed one—has redefined its place within Global Industrial. From working closely with business leaders to counseling on regulatory issues, compliance, and governance, her department is deeply embedded in day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.

She speaks often about the “moving line of scrimmage” that legal professionals must navigate.

“You have to be able to conceive of a solution and have the confidence to sell it into rooms—often to non-lawyers,” she says. “That’s a polished skill that starts with deep knowledge of subject matter and ends with translation into business terms.”

Despite her years of experience, Storch continues to learn from outside counsel and subject-matter experts.

“When I was a new public company GC, my professors were my outside counsel,” she says. “I still learn from them. The laws are evolving so quickly; by the time you memorize the book, it’s outdated.”

Her department is also thoughtful about spend—sometimes even helping the business generate revenue through legal strategy. And while she’s quick to acknowledge when outside help is needed, she ensures the department can drill into complex legal areas and provide real-time advice when stakes are high.

“We’re constantly reacting to a moving target,” she says. “That’s why it’s essential to understand what you know—and what you don’t.”

A guardian of culture and growth

Storch’s approach to leadership goes beyond legal strategy. She sees herself as a culture carrier who fosters trust, models humility, and builds confidence in others.

For Storch, legal is more than a department—it’s a business guardian. Her work is ensuring the company operates with “eyes wide open,” making informed decisions that drive success and minimize risk.

“It’s empowering to tell your client: I’ve seen this movie before—I know how it ends. If we want a different ending, we must take proactive steps now. That’s the value of experience.”

Storch’s passion for her work is evident, her humility intentional, and her belief in the legal profession’s power unwavering.

“The law is what separates us from the animal kingdom,” she says with a smile.  “It’s the triumph of civilized society over the laws of the jungle – we have to police the boundaries steadfastly, but, at the same time, test the limits for the benefit of our client.  It’s as stimulating as it is humbling.”