Peter Kleinschmidt has been appointed as general counsel of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), replacing outgoing incumbent Diane de Saint Victor. Kleinschmidt made the move to EADS from Airbus in 2005 and will now lead a team of 120 lawyers in Paris and Munich. He will also be in charge of EADS' worldwide legal function. Kleinschmidt was given the role after de Saint Victor left for Switzerland-based power and automation technologies company, ABB. Last October, Clifford Chance acted for EADS on the E2.75bn (£1.85bn) purchase of BAE Systems' 20% stake in Airbus.