HP has acknowledged that its general counsel, Michael J. Holston, has departed the company to seek other endeavors. Holston had reportedly worked for HP as an outside counsel for a decade before joining the company’s internal team to provide a deeper level of assistance with litigation, acquisitions and other issues.
The computer maker has seen a number of significant changes to its leadership over the past two years, bringing in Leo Apotheker as chief executive for just 11 months after Mark Hurd left due to a scandal. Apotheker favored a strategy that would bring the company to quit the mobile hardware business and spin off its PC unit, however the board of directors disagreed with him and gave his position to former eBay chief Meg Whitman.
“[Holston] has been an exceptional leader at HP and a great contributor to the company’s mission,” said Whitman.
The company is currently seeking a permanent replacement, however Fenwick & West partner David W. Healy will serve as general counsel on an interim basis
