Computing giants Microsoft and eBay appoint new heads of legal for the UK, while SABMiller further strengthens its ties with Lovells with the recruitment of another of the firm's partners. Ed Thornton reviews the latest key in-house moves

Microsoft nurtures own talent with in-house appointment of UK legal head

Microsoft has drawn from within its own ranks to fill its vacant UK head of legal post, promoting in-house lawyer Dervish Tayyip to the post. Tayyip took up the role at the company's Reading headquarters on 12 July and will report to Microsoft's high-profile director of law and corporate affairs, Chris Parker. Tayyip replaces Gillian Austin, who left Microsoft at the end of last year and was subsequently hired by Olswang as a legal director.

Tayyip joined Microsoft in 1999 after private practice stints at Alders and West End firm Reid Minty, where he was a partner. Before taking up his new post he supported Microsoft's largest licensing and services deals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Among Tayyip's tasks will be the handling of software licensing agreements between clients and partners of the company.

Tayyip told Legal Week: "The main challenge will be for a relatively small legal team with a modest budget to deliver a first-class service. This will include developing a team that can effectively account for costs, be practical decision-makers and one that excels in the role of systems integrators. That will require skill, focus and commercial awareness in an environment that is ever more demanding and pressurised."

Tayyip says that the last eight years at Microsoft have given him the opportunity to build management skills that will help him deal with the pressures of a senior role. "My time at Microsoft has equipped me with enough business savvy to effectively lead the team," he says.

Tayyip also said he has observed the role of the in-house lawyer change during his time at the software giant. "New business models and approaches to corporate management, evolving client expectations regarding legal services and major changes in the external legal marketplace and legislative/regulatory environment have meant that the role of the in-house lawyer has changed markedly," he says."It is increasingly pivotal in driving forward transactions essential for a company's growth and development, steering companies through regulatory requirements and adding real value to the relationship between a company and its external advisers."

EBay appoints former Fujitsu lawyer as new UK legal chief

EBay's long-running search for a new UK legal head has come to an end with the appointment of ex-Fujitsu in-house lawyer Jean Hughes to the sought-after post.

Hughes joined the company in late July as UK director of legal and public affairs, replacing Robert Miller, who left the company in February last year to become global general counsel of Skype.

During the search for Miller's permanent replacement, the role was filled by existing in-house lawyer Paul Drake, who has now been promoted to head of contracts and commercial.

Hughes' appointment will be of interest to eBay's small band of regular advisers who have been instructed by the company as it has expanded its presence in the UK market in recent years.

The company is a longstanding client of Olswang, having instructed the firm on a raft of mandates, including the company's first UK acquisition of Gumtree by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kijiji.

Clifford Chance has also forged a relationship with the company, acting as lead adviser on the $2.6bn (£1.3bn) acquisition of Skype in September 2005, as well as providing competition and regulatory advice.

One of the challenges faced by Hughes will be guiding eBay's UK business through an increasingly regulated environment. One recruiter who specialises in the in-house IT sector says: "It is a very regulated area – not only in the area of online payment but also in supplying the consumer online."

EBay's worldwide legal function is headed by US-based Michael Jacobson, who has been the company's general counsel since 1998.

Lovells partner joins SABMiller team

SABMiller has appointed Lovells corporate partner Stephen Jones to its highly-regarded in-house M&A legal team, further cementing its relationship with the top 10 City law firm.

When he joins brewing giant SABMiller this summer, Jones will be reunited with ex-Lovells colleague John Davidson, who last year left the firm after more than 20 years to become the company's group general counsel.

During his time at Lovells, Jones has been instructed by SABMiller on several major transactions, including its acquisition of Honduran beverage assets from Dole Foods and the creation of a joint venture with Groupo Agrisal to create the largest beverage company in South America.

The quality of SABMiller's in-house M&A legal team was formally recognised at the 2006 Legal Week Awards when it beat stiff competition to win the in-house deal team of the year award.

While Lovells remains SABMiller's main corporate adviser, the company also instructs Werksmans in South Africa, Richards Butler in Hong Kong and Stevens & Bolton for UK employment matters.

For a large company with a $15bn (£7.4bn) turnover, SABMiller runs a relatively lean in-house function with 70 lawyers worldwide across the various arms of the business.

Merrill Lynch GC takes on new global research responsibilities

Merrill Lynch has given its general counsel, Rosemary Berkery, the additional responsibility of overseeing the bank's global research operations.

Berkery, who became general counsel of Merrill in 2001, was promoted to the role last month and is still responsible for legal and compliance.

Berkery joined Merrill in 1983 having formerly been a corporate and securities lawyer at New York law firm Shearman & Sterling, where she was an M&A specialist.

Howrey partner goes in-house with switch to tech company

Computer manufacturer Lenovo has recruited Howrey partner Michael O'Neill as its new general counsel.

O'Neill, who was general counsel for Howrey's international practices and helped establish the firm's Brussels arm in 2001, will report to Lenovo's chief executive, William Amelio.

He replaces James Shaughnessy, who left the company to become general counsel of Orbitz Worldwide, the online travel company.

Ex-Severn Trent GC named legal director in DLA Piper water team

Severn Trent's former general counsel, Clive Mottram, has joined the Birmingham arm of DLA Piper to spearhead the firm's local water practice.

Mottram has taken up the post of legal director within the national firm's finance and projects group and will be part of the specialist energy and utilities team.

DLA Piper head of power and water Clive Upton said: "Clive brings not only an in-depth knowledge of the water industry, but also practical experience of the way it works within its regulatory and statutory framework."