When Netapp, Inc. needed a new top lawyer to replace Andy Kryder, who retired after serving as general counsel for 10 years, it didn’t have to look far.
The Sunnyvale data management and storage company hired Matthew Fawcett, who had been general counsel for Milipitas-based JDS Uniphase for 11 years.
Now Fawcett leads NetApp’s worldwide legal team and reports to president and CEO Tom Georgens.
A spokesperson for NetApp said Fawcett was not available for comment.
Fawcett is responsible for all of NetApp’s worldwide legal affairs, including corporate governance and securities law compliance, intellectual property matters, contracts, and mergers and acquisitions.
“Navigating the complex and changing legal landscape requires a strong advisor,” Georgens said in a press release. “And Matt brings a solid background in the technology industry that will help us continue to meet the regulatory and business requirements necessary in today’s business world.”
Throughout his career, Fawcett has advised technology companies on a variety of legal issues, including mergers and acquisitions, patent programs, litigation, and intellectual property. At JDS Uniphase Corporation, he built a worldwide legal organization, managed acquisitions and strategic transactions, and oversaw the company’s patent portfolio.
Before joining JDS Uniphase in 1999, Fawcett was corporate counsel at Fujitsu America for two years. He decided to go in-house after working as an associate at Morrison & Foerster from 1994 to 1997.
Comments