United Continental Holdings names new general counsel

<p>Newly merged United Continental Holdings has announced the appointment of Brett Hart to the role of senior vice president, general  counsel and secretary.</p> <p><img src="https://media.corporatesecretary.com/library/appointments/brett_hart_-_2_thumbnail.jpg" border="0" alt="new general counsel" width="90" height="99" /></p>

Hart joined the company on December 15 and is responsible for managing the company’s legal affairs worldwide, reporting directly to president and chief executive officer Jeff Smisek. He replaces Tom Sabatino, who has resigned from United.

Hart joins the company from Sara Lee, where he served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary and directed global legal operations for the company. Prior to Sara Lee, he was a partner with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal in Chicago, and previously served as special assistant  to the general counsel at the US Department of the Treasury in Washington, DC.

‘Brett’s experience, leadership skills and legal expertise are great assets to our senior management team,’ says Smisek in announcing the appointment. ‘He will play a key role as we integrate United and Continental and build the world’s leading carrier.’

Hart gained a bachelor’s degree  in philosophy and English from the University of Michigan before earning a JD from the University of Chicago Law School.