GM's embattled top lawyer Millikin to retire

[Haltech]

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Safety, GM



General Motors' top lawyer, Michael Millikin, will retire in early 2015, the Detroit automaker announced Friday.

Calling the move a voluntary decision, Millikin, 66, will stay on until a replacement is found. Millikin, whose career at GM has spanned nearly 37 years, has served in a number of roles for the company, largely staying out of the spotlight. That changed dramatically when he was called to testify on Capitol Hill this summer to explain GM's handling of recent ignition-switch recalls, which have cost the company millions of dollars and badly dented its public image. As of October 14, GM had approved 27 payouts for deaths related to the recalls, and Millikin himself has come in for significant criticism for his handling of the recall issue on GM's behalf.

Millikin has been the Detroit automaker's general counsel since 2009 and held a variety of legal and other posts within the company, including serving on the boards of Opel and GM Korea. He joined the company in 1977. GM said it will immediately begin a search for his replacement.

In a statement, GM CEO Mary Barra praised Millikin's long career and noted his work leading the automaker's response after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Mike has had a tremendous career, spanning more than 40 years, with the vast majority of it at GM," Barra said. "He has led global legal teams through incredibly complex transactions, been a trusted and respected confidant to senior management, and even led the company's global business response team following the tragedy of 9/11."

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GM's embattled top lawyer Millikin to retire originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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