Google's GC Gets Promoted

Google Inc. hired John Kent Walker Jr. to be vice president and general counsel. Walker joins Google from eBay where he served as deputy general counsel. Walker succeeds David Drummond, who has been named as Google's CLO. Drummond retains his previous title, senior vice president of corporate development.

R.J. Reynolds Appoints New GC

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. appointed Martin L. (“Mark”) Holton III general counsel. Holton joined R.J. Reynolds as vice president and assistant general counsel of litigation in 2002.

Rambus Hires New General Counsel

Los Altos, Calif.-based Rambus Inc. hired Thomas R. Lavelle as senior vice president and general counsel. Lavelle most recently served as vice president and general counsel at San Jose, Calif.-based Xilinx Inc., a supplier of programmable chips.