SAN FRANCISCO — Patent licensing company Tessera Technologies Inc. named general counsel Bernard Cassidy as the president of Tessera Intellectual Property Corp., its patent licensing and litigation division, the company announced Tuesday.

The move puts him in charge of the company’s IP business, including strategy and operations, according to a company statement. Cassidy will remain general counsel of the San Jose-based Tessera. He is replacing Richard Chernicoff, who is “pursuing other interests” but remaining a consultant.