Microsoft Names Nowbar as Legal Chief, Palmer as General Counsel

Microsoft Corp. has reshuffled its legal leadership as the technology giant pushes forward with its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc.

The company has promoted Hossein Nowbar to the expanded role of chief legal officer, while deputy general counsel and head of litigation Jonathan Palmer has moved up to general counsel, according to an internal memo from Microsoft vice chairman Bradford Smith.

Smith, a former Covington & Burling partner who has worked at Microsoft since 1993, continues to oversee the company’s corporate, external, and legal affairs departments globally. Cynthia “Cindy” Randall, an associate general counsel for litigation, has ...