AKAM’s General Counsel, Stephanie Tanzi Barry, on scaling legal strategy in a high-growth environment

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Recently featured as one of NYREJ’s 2026 Ones to Watch – Industry Leaders, Crouch was recognized for her ability to combine technical expertise with practical problem-solving and collaborative leadership.

Stephanie Tanzi Barry’s career demonstrates how strategic thinking and adaptability can shape a successful path in corporate law. Rather than following a traditional legal career trajectory, Barry has made deliberate decisions that allowed her to expand her expertise and position herself as a trusted business leader. Her journey reflects the growing role of in-house counsel as a key contributor to organizational success.

As General Counsel at AKAM, Barry has played a pivotal role in supporting the company’s growth and evolution. Beyond providing legal guidance, she works closely with executive leadership to address business challenges, manage risk, and develop strategies that support long-term objectives. Her ability to combine legal knowledge with business insight has made her an important partner in the company’s decision-making process.

One of Barry’s most significant achievements has been establishing and developing AKAM’s legal department.

“I came in as the first in-house lawyer, and it was a tall order from day one,” Barry says.

As the company expanded, she built a legal function designed to meet the needs of a growing organization while ensuring compliance, efficiency, and proactive risk management. Her work has helped create a strong legal foundation that supports the company’s continued success.

“Each property has its own needs, and we work to make sure we’re providing the right level of service without losing that personal touch,” Barry says.

Barry’s leadership style emphasizes collaboration and a deep understanding of business operations. She believes that modern legal professionals must go beyond traditional legal responsibilities and actively engage with different departments to help solve problems and identify opportunities. This approach allows legal teams to contribute more effectively to an organization’s overall strategy.

“When you’re an in-house lawyer, you have to be as ingrained with the company and the operations as any of the other executives,” Barry says.

Her story serves as an example of how legal professionals can create value by combining technical expertise with business acumen. Through strategic leadership, adaptability, and a commitment to supporting organizational goals, Stephanie Tanzi Barry has helped shape AKAM’s growth while redefining the role of in-house counsel in today’s business environment.