US chip-maker Credo Technology Group has hired Jim Laufman as chief legal officer, replacing Kate Schuelke, who exits after just over six months with the business.

Laufman joins from robotic process automation developer Automation Anywhere, where he was also CLO. He brings with him three decades of in-house experience across corporate governance, M&A, contracts, IP, litigation, employment and enterprise risk management matters. At Credo, Laufman will be responsible for the legal department and also serve as corporate secretary.

San Jose, California-based Credo makes semiconductor chips to enable high-speed internet connectivity.

Bill Brennan, president and CEO of Credo, said: “[Laufman’s] extensive business and legal experience, especially in the connectivity space, will be indispensable as we manage new growth opportunities for all of our product lines. Jim’s collaborative approach, sharp business insight and strong leadership will be a tremendous asset to our company.”

Laufman arrives after almost six years at Automation Anywhere, which he joined from US optical networking business Infinera, where he was general counsel for just over four years. Prior to that he also had spells at Marvell and Integrated Device Technology (both as GC) and Quantum Corporation (as senior corporate counsel).

He said: “It’s a privilege to join a company like Credo, which is pioneering groundbreaking product categories such as active electrical cables and transforming the connectivity industry. The potential for growth is both large and attainable, and I am eager to contribute to the company’s future successes alongside Bill and the team.”

Schuelke, meantime, departs having only joined Credo in January. No reason was given for her exit. She joined the company from Seagate, where she spent more than six and half years as CLO. Prior to that she spent two decades at chip-maker Altera Corporation, where she was GC. She also spent seven years as an associate at Morrison & Foerster.

Credo is not the only US semiconductor business that has had a change of legal leadership of late. In July, Lam Research hired Ava Harter as its CLO, filling the spot left vacant by the departure of Ava Hahn to Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) earlier in the year. Seagate also only recently filled the seat left empty by Schuelke’s move to Credo, hiring Jim Lee from Maxar Technologies in June.