Chris Zaetta

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary UnitedHealth Group

Last Reviewed: October 1, 2026

Executive Summary

Chris Zaetta has been UnitedHealth Group’s top lawyer since May 2024, as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. He knows the company’s legal function from several angles. He first worked there from 2011 to 2019, running litigation and serving as general counsel of its government businesses. After a period as a vice president at Johnson & Johnson, he returned in 2020 as Chief Legal Officer of Optum before taking the group-wide role. UnitedHealth Group ranked No. 3 on the 2026 Fortune 500.

Career Highlights

• Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of UnitedHealth Group since May 2024.
• Chief Legal Officer of Optum from September 2020 to May 2024.
• Vice President at Johnson & Johnson before rejoining in 2020.
• Head of Litigation and General Counsel of the government businesses at UnitedHealth Group, in roles held between May 2011 and September 2019.

Professional Journey

Zaetta joined UnitedHealth Group in May 2011 and over the next eight years held several leadership roles in its legal function, including Head of Litigation and General Counsel of the company’s government businesses. He left in September 2019 and became a Vice President at Johnson & Johnson.

In September 2020 he rejoined the group as Chief Legal Officer of Optum, its health services business. In May 2024 he was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of UnitedHealth Group, one of its executive officers.

Education

No education record was found in any company or SEC source.