National airline's legal team reshuffled in wake of Iberia tie-up

British Airways (BA) has reshuffled its in-house legal team in the wake of its merger with Spanish airline Iberia, which went live last month (24 January), and its protracted cabin crew dispute.

BA general counsel Maria da Cunha, who previously held a position as director of legal and government affairs, has taken up an expanded remit, which includes overseeing the company's human resources (HR) function. Her new title within BA is director of people, legal and government affairs.

The position will see da Cunha spending some of her time interacting with various trade unions, such as the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association (BASSA) and Unite, in the light of the cabin crew dispute.

Meanwhile, Andrew Fleming, previously a senior commercial lawyer at BA, has been appointed as head of legal. Fleming will be responsible for managing relationships with the company's roster of external legal advisers.

BA and Iberia will retain separate legal teams despite the merger, which saw longstanding adviser Slaughter and May acting for BA and Norton Rose picking up a mandate alongside Spanish firm Garrigues to advise Iberia.

BA and Iberia shareholders voted through the merger at the end of November after around a year of talks. The deal has seen Keith Williams replace Willie Walsh as chief executive of BA, with Walsh taking up a post as chief executive of International Airlines Group.

Da Cunha initially took over the GC role in 2009 following the resignation of Robert Webb QC, who stepped down after 10 years. Webb subsequently returned to the Bar with a move to Brick Court Chambers.

Allen & Overy previously advised Iberia on discussions between it and BA which were announced in summer 2008 but then abandoned.