Continuing a trend of general counsel being named to higher leadership roles, Michal Fresser, currently general counsel of Axon Neuroscience SE, has been named the company’s chief executive officer.

Axon’s Aug. 1 announcement said Fresser also will serve as chairman of the board of the group’s two subsidiaries. He could not be reached for comment.

Based in Cyprus, Axon is a biotech company specializing in immunotherapies and diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.

Michal Novak, the founder and a member of the board of directors of Axon, said in a statement, “We are very pleased to appoint Michal Fresser to the role of CEO for the group. His skills and experience make him the ideal candidate to bring Axon to the next stage of development.”

Fresser is the latest in a line of general counsel to be elevated at their companies. In the month of July alone, global consulting firm Accenture and carbonated liquid maker Sodastream promoted their general counsel to CEO positions. In addition, cosmetic giant Estée Lauder gave its general counsel a newly created vice chairman role.

In some other companies, the general counsel have been named acting CEOs. Perhaps the most notable is scandal-plagued Wells Fargo & Co., where general counsel Allen Parker was named acting CEO in March while the board of directors searched for a new chief executive.

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