The Bank Of America begins its search for a replacement for its general counsel Gary Lynch, who is expected to maintain a role at the bank until a replacement is found. He guided the company through a number of legal crises and was often its face to regulators. Mr Lynch is expected to step down from the job in coming months, according to sources. The search for his replacement is ongoing and the bank is currently considering several outside candidates, most of whom are partners at Wall Street law firms. It is likely that Mr Lynch will stay at the bank in a different capacity, according to people familiar with the move. Bank of America chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan added vice chairman to Mr Lynch’s title this week, a role that is similar to a senior adviser.

The Royal Mail has announced that its general counsel, Neil Harnby, will shortly be taking a sabbatical. In a statement The Royal Mail commented: 'Neil Harnby, general counsel, has decided to leave the business in order to take a sabbatical for a year and spend more time with his wife and daughters. Neil intends to return to the corporate world after his break. Neil has been with The Royal Mail since the end of 2011 and has played an instrumental role in the privatisation of the company, as well as leading the legal response to the competitive challenges both here and in Europe. He has also restructured the in-house legal team and put in place a new panel of external legal advisers.' Mr Harnby will not be leaving the company immediately, as his leaving date has yet to be announced.

Playground equipment maker PlayCore has appointed attorney Brenda Grant as its new general counsel. Ms Grant previously served as general counsel for Benchmark Rehabilitation Partners. In her new role, she will provide legal services, counsel, and advice across PlayCore as well as identifying, assessing and communicating legal requirements as Playcore, the playground equipment maker, continues to expand.

Emerson's general counsel Frank Steeves has resigned, according to the Ferguson-based manufacturer's regulatory filing on Friday. It is expected Mr Steeves will remain working for the company until the end of the fiscal year (September 30th). This will be in order to 'assist with the orderly transition of key legal items and community activities to other Emerson executives.' While the company searches for Mr Steeves's replacement, Timothy Westman, the vice president of Emerson’s Latin America operations, will take charge of the legal team. For several years, Mr Steeves has been a member of the Missouri History Museum’s board of trustees, and is also currently a member of its executive committee. 

The general counsel and executive vice president of Express Scripts Holding Co. Keith Ebling is leaving his role at the company in order to pursue other interests, the company has announced. Mr Ebling will remain employed by the company without holding the general counsel post 'for an indeterminate period of time in order to facilitate a smooth and orderly transition,' the company said in the regulatory filing. The filing also stated that his exit was not the result of any issue, concern or disagreement with the company, which has since begun searching for a successor. Led by chairman and CEO  George Paz, Express Scripts Holding Co. is the parent company of pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts.