Key points:
- ServiceNow appoints Hossein Nowbar as President and Chief Legal Officer.
- Nowbar brings over 25 years of experience from Microsoft, focusing on AI governance and global compliance.
- Russ Elmer transitions to Special Counsel after serving as CLO since 2018.
ServiceNow has appointed Hossein Nowbar as President and Chief Legal Officer, effective immediately. ([newsroom.servicenow.com](https://newsroom.servicenow.com/press-releases/details/2026/ServiceNow-appoints-Hossein-Nowbar-as-President-and-CLO/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
Nowbar joins ServiceNow after more than 25 years at Microsoft, where he most recently served as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Vice President. His tenure at Microsoft included leadership roles in cloud and AI legal affairs, as well as corporate governance. ([servicenow.com](https://www.servicenow.com/in/company/leadership/hossein-nowbar.html?utm_source=openai))
In his new role, Nowbar will oversee global legal, ethics, governance, compliance, risk, ServiceNow.org, impact and sustainability, and corporate and government affairs organizations. He will collaborate with the executive leadership team to advance responsible innovation and support ServiceNow's long-term growth strategy. ([newsroom.servicenow.com](https://newsroom.servicenow.com/press-releases/details/2026/ServiceNow-appoints-Hossein-Nowbar-as-President-and-CLO/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
Russ Elmer, who has served as Chief Legal Officer since 2018, will transition to the role of Special Counsel, continuing to provide strategic guidance on key legal and corporate matters. ([newsroom.servicenow.com](https://newsroom.servicenow.com/press-releases/details/2026/ServiceNow-appoints-Hossein-Nowbar-as-President-and-CLO/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott stated, "Hossein brings the leadership this moment demands as we accelerate our profitable global growth strategy." ([newsroom.servicenow.com](https://newsroom.servicenow.com/press-releases/details/2026/ServiceNow-appoints-Hossein-Nowbar-as-President-and-CLO/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
Nowbar expressed enthusiasm about his new position, saying, "I'm thrilled to join ServiceNow at such an exciting moment for both the company and the enterprise software industry." ([newsroom.servicenow.com](https://newsroom.servicenow.com/press-releases/details/2026/ServiceNow-appoints-Hossein-Nowbar-as-President-and-CLO/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
This appointment underscores ServiceNow's commitment to strengthening its legal and governance framework as it continues to expand its global presence.