Walmart general counsel Karen Roberts leaves the company 

Karen Roberts, general counsel for Walmart Inc., is leaving the retail giant. Her departure ends a 27-year career that saw her rise to the rank of executive vice president, a position she has held for 10 years.

“When I first joined Walmart in 1995 after earning my law degree at the University of Arkansas, my original plan was to work for the company a few years and then move to greener pastures. After 10 years, I told myself I never thought I’d be here this long. But along the way a funny thing happened. I fell in love with the company – its global footprint, fantastic purpose, servant leadership mindset, high ethical standards, and the people,” Roberts noted in her LinkedIn post on Tuesday (Jan. 31).

Roberts worked as head of Walmart Realty and chief compliance officer in addition to several other legal compliance roles at Walmart before becoming general counsel in 2013.

Roberts stopped short of sharing her next move in the social media post. She did say there are plans to spend more time with family, travel and discover new hobbies.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought a young girl from Hope, Arkansas, would end up as general counsel for the world’s largest company. It says a lot about Walmart and the opportunity it has provided – for me and so many others,” Roberts noted.

Roberts did not say when her departure becomes effective or who will be replacing her. Walmart did not respond to requests for comment on Roberts’ departure as of late Tuesday (Jan. 31).