Microsoft Corporation's general counsel Brad Smith has been appointed the company's president and chief legal officer, positions that will see him taking a larger role in public policy. Microsoft MSFT, +0.44% appoints regional sales presidents, but Smith is the first company-wide president since Richard "Rick" Belluzzo resigned in 2002. However, Beluzzo had a more operationally focused role. "Brad has long had a broad role at the company and now I'm asking him to lead more new initiatives," wrote Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in a Friday email to employees. In addition to handling the company's legal work, Smith will be responsible for "privacy, security, accessibility, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion," Mr. Nadella wrote. Smith will manage employees beyond the legal division, but it's unclear which parts of the company he will oversee. He will continue to report to Nadella, and his promotion won't affect the company's existing senior leadership structure, the company said. A 22-year Microsoft veteran, Smith has served as Microsoft's general counsel since 2002, the year the company agreed to change its business practices following an antitrust court settlement and consent decree. Source: MarketWatch
