Target names new legal head

Target Corp. has named Don Liu as executive VP, chief legal officer and general counsel, effective Aug. 22, 2016.



Liu will oversee all legal, corporate governance and government affairs matters for the company. He will report to chairman and CEO Brian Cornell and serve as a member of Target’s leadership team.



Liu replaces Tim Baer, who will be retiring in July 2017 after 23 years with the company. Baer joined former Target parent company Dayton Hudson as assistant general counsel in 1994. He will serve in an advisory role for the next 12 months, supporting Liu’s transition to Target.



“On behalf of the entire team, I thank Tim for the tremendous contributions he made to our brand and our business,” said Cornell. “As Tim transitions to retirement, I look forward to welcoming Don to our team. His extensive legal expertise as well as his deep business acumen will help us continue to navigate the increasingly complex business environment with the highest standards of ethics and integrity. I know Don will be an excellent addition to our leadership team.”



Liu, 55, joins Target from Xerox Corp., where he has served as executive VP, general counsel and corporate secretary since 2007. Prior to Xerox, Liu was senior VP and chief compliance officer for Toll Brothers Inc. and senior VP and general counsel for Ikon Office Solutions.



“I am privileged to join Target as general counsel,” said Liu. “I have long admired Target and the legal team behind the brand. Joining the organization will provide me with an incredible opportunity to bring my passion for the law to one of the great retail companies in America. I look forward to building Target’s business and positively impacting its reputation.”