Rebecca Anzidei – Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

On a family trip through Yellowstone National Park, Rebecca Anzidei found herself doing what she often does best: observing how people react under pressure. Crowds gathered around Old Faithful waiting for the eruption, parents tried to keep restless children entertained, and park rangers calmly answered the same questions over and over again. For Anzidei, the scene carried familiar themes. Patience. Communication. Managing expectations. Understanding people before trying to solve problems.

Rebecca Anzidei | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. | Assistant General Counsel, Product Liability and Litigation

As assistant general counsel for product liability and litigation at Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Anzidei oversees complex litigation matters while leading a cross-functional team of attorneys, engineers, and paralegals. Her role spans product liability litigation, class action matters and extensive business counseling. Yet, despite the highly technical nature of her work, colleagues and peers often describe her greatest strengths in far more personal terms: approachable, collaborative, empathetic, and deeply invested in others’ growth.

Finding her path

Anzidei did not grow up with a singular dream of becoming a lawyer. Raised in a family filled with engineers, doctors, and nurses, law represented something entirely different from the professions surrounding her. Her interest developed gradually during college at Brown University, where she discovered she was drawn to analytical thinking, problem-solving, and intellectual challenges.

Law school at Georgetown University further sharpened those instincts. While some students gravitated toward abstract legal theory, Anzidei found herself energized by practical litigation work that mirrored real-world challenges. Trial advocacy courses taught by active prosecutors, along with hands-on assignments involving discovery requests and case development, helped solidify her interest in litigation.

“I loved the process of building a case from the ground up,” Anzidei says.

She became especially interested in translating complicated legal and factual issues into narratives that juries and non-legal audiences could understand. That combination of storytelling and advocacy ultimately guided her toward commercial litigation.

Anzidei began her career at Goodwin Procter and then Kirkland & Ellis, where she developed the foundation that would shape the next two decades of her professional life. The firm’s demanding environment exposed her to rigorous training programs, extensive deposition work, and real courtroom experience early in her career. Over more than 21 years in private practice, including over 15 years as a partner, she handled both plaintiff-side and defense litigation while building a reputation as a pragmatic, well-prepared litigator.

“The expectations were high, but that helped me develop confidence very quickly,” Anzidei says.

She also experienced some of the challenges many women faced in large law firms, particularly the lack of female mentors in senior leadership positions. Those experiences would later influence how she approached mentorship and leadership.

Stepping into a new challenge

By the time Anzidei began exploring in-house opportunities, she had already established herself as a seasoned litigator.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. entered the picture through an existing professional relationship. Tony Klapper, the company’s current general counsel, had worked with Anzidei years earlier at Kirkland & Ellis. Their connection eventually led to a conversation about an opportunity at Volkswagen.

Anzidei joined Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in October 2020, stepping into a role that required both legal expertise and rapid adaptation. Volkswagen Group of America oversees vehicle importation, distribution, and customer service across North America. Its Chattanooga assembly plant remains a key part of the company’s North American strategy as the automotive industry continues evolving through new technologies and changing consumer demands.

Although Anzidei entered the company with deep litigation experience, the transition to in-house counsel required an entirely different mindset.

“In private practice, the focus is often on winning the case,” Anzidei says. “In-house, you have to think much more broadly about the business impact, the consumer experience, and the long-term implications of decisions.”

The learning curve was steep. She inherited an active litigation docket during her first week while simultaneously learning Volkswagen’s internal systems, processes, and culture. She also had to immerse herself in an industry she previously knew little about.

“I wasn’t a car person before I joined Volkswagen, but I love learning about the industry,” Anzidei says.

Her litigation background helped accelerate the transition. Having spent decades managing cases herself, she understood how to oversee outside counsel effectively and evaluate litigation strategy with credibility. Still, the counseling side of the role took longer to master because she wanted to become more than simply a legal reviewer.

Leading through relationships

Today, Anzidei co-leads Volkswagen’s Product Analysis Group within the Office of General Counsel. Her team includes two other attorneys, three paralegals, and three engineers working together to manage product liability litigation and class action matters.

The work itself is highly complex. Product liability cases often involve multiple defendants and difficult causation questions. Yet even within highly technical litigation environments, Anzidei remains focused on the human element.

“People are often genuinely dealing with difficult situations, and it’s important not to lose sight of that,” Anzidei says.

That perspective influences how she approaches leadership internally. Transparency, approachability, and trust-building sit at the center of her management philosophy. She believes people perform best when they feel supported, respected, and included in conversations about growth and opportunity.

Many of those priorities stem directly from her own career experiences. Having navigated the demands of private practice, motherhood, and leadership within high-pressure legal environments, Anzidei intentionally creates space for younger professionals to ask questions and develop confidence.

She regularly mentors attorneys, engineers, and business professionals across the organization while emphasizing visibility and recognition for junior contributors. Rather than allowing hierarchy to dominate team dynamics, she encourages collaboration and open communication.

That relationship-driven approach extends beyond internal leadership. Anzidei also prioritizes strong partnerships with outside counsel and cross-functional business teams throughout Volkswagen.

Adapting for the future

The automotive industry continues evolving rapidly through technological innovation, regulatory changes, and shifting consumer expectations. For Anzidei, that constant movement is one of the most rewarding aspects of the role.

Her team is actively exploring artificial intelligence tools and operational efficiencies designed to improve litigation management and reduce unnecessary costs. She sees a direct connection between legal efficiency, business performance, and the consumer experience.

“We always have to think about the broader impact of what we do,” Anzidei says.

Even after more than two decades in litigation, Anzidei remains energized by continuous learning. One moment may involve counseling business leaders on legal exposure, while another centers on case strategy, emerging technologies, or mentoring younger professionals.

Outside the office, Anzidei’s priorities remain firmly rooted in family life. A mother of three, she spends much of her free time supporting her children’s activities, traveling with family, reading, and crocheting as a way to unwind from the intensity of legal work.

Those quieter moments help maintain perspective within a profession often defined by pressure and conflict. They also reinforce the values that have guided her career from the beginning: empathy, curiosity, resilience, and connection.

Whether managing litigation strategy, mentoring younger colleagues, or navigating the uncertainty of a rapidly changing industry, Anzidei continues to approach leadership with patience. Listen carefully. Stay calm. Understand the people around you. Then move forward together.