Music streaming monolith Spotify has poached Microsoft's Horacio Gutierrez as its new general counsel. Mr Gutierrez will replace former Spotify GC Jared Grusd who left the company last year to become chief executive of AOL's Huffington Post. Microsoft president Brad Smith praised his outgoing GC as Mr Gutierrez prepares to say goodbye to the computing giant after 17 years of service. 'He's a great leader and a great person, and I know he'll be just as successful as he takes on a new challenge,' Mr Smith said. Microsoft has indicated that it will give details about 'how legal work will be organised following Horacio's departure' by the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Douglas Manya will take up the positions of vice president, general counsel and secretary at communication solutions group LGS Innovation. Mr Manya will oversee all legal, corporate governance and contractual activities at LGS, including ensuring compliance with government procurement regulations and ethical standards. Incumbent LGS general counsel and secretary Michael Garson will stay on with the company in the role of chief administrative officer.

Credit Suisse has announced that Zurich-based managing director Michel Ruffieux will replace Maria Leistner as international wealth management general counsel from April. Credit Suisse announced in February that Ms Leistner would be departing to take up the Zurich-based role of wealth management general counsel at UPS. Mr Ruffieux joined Credit Suisse in 1992 and is currently COO of the general counsel division and head of corporate legal.

Games website Miniclip has lost its general counsel Brian Chadwick to the London-based digital media, entertainment and games team at Cooley. Mr Chadwick has held the top legal post at Miniclip for seven years and previously held a partner position at law firm Michelmores. At Cooley, Mr Chadwick will serve as a special counsel focusing on the games division. Miniclip deputy GC Claudia Gorman will take over as head of legal.