Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. announced Monday that it has hired a former Marriott in-house attorney to become its next senior vice president and chief legal officer.

David Mann will lead the legal team at the Canton, Massachusetts-based parent company of Dunkin', formerly Dunkin' Donuts, and Baskin-Robbins. He will report directly to Dave Hoffmann, the company's U.S. president and CEO.

“I am pleased to welcome David Mann to Dunkin' Brands and our leadership team,” Hoffmann said in the press release. “A seasoned legal executive with extensive global management experience, David's legal acumen, dedication to talent development and deep understanding of the franchised business model will be invaluable to us as we continue to drive our brands forward around the world.”

Mann will replace Richard Emmett, who plans to retire from Dunkin' as the chief legal and human resources officer effective March 16. Emmett said in an interview with Corporate Counsel that he will continue his role as a member of the board of directors for a few different organizations.

Emmett joined Dunkin' as the chief legal and human resources officer and corporate secretary in 2009. He previously worked as the executive vice president and chief legal officer of Quiznos and as general counsel and chief human resources officer at Papa John's.

“It was a great run at a wonderful company,” Emmett said of his time at Dunkin'. “We accomplished a lot and I believe the company is teed up to accomplish even more in the years to come.”

Emmett also said he is happy to know that Mann is taking over the job as the company's top lawyer.

“I'm pleased we were able to find David Mann,” Emmett said. “We are turning the legal department over to a very good general counsel. He's a good lawyer and will be a great general counsel.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mann most previously worked as the senior vice president and deputy general counsel for Marriott International. He joined the hotel company in 1995. From 2000 to 2007, Mann worked as the general counsel for Marriott's Ritz-Carlton division. While at Marriott, Mann helped lead the legal team during the company's $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016. Mann was an associate at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld from 1988 to 1995. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School.

“I am delighted to be joining Dunkin' Brands, a company with two of the world's best-loved brands and premier franchising concepts,” Mann said in the press release. “I look forward to working with the leadership team, the members of the legal department and the franchisee community to better serve our customers around the world.”

Mann could not be reached for additional comment on Monday and it is unclear when he will be starting.