Hewlett-Packard names general counsel

Hewlett-Packard Co. named Michael J. Holston as general counsel, replacing Ann Baskins, who left the company in September after a misguided investigation into media leaks.

Holston, 44, will join the computer maker Feb. 22. He came from law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, where he served as an outside attorney for HP for more than a decade.

Chief Executive Mark Hurd tapped Holston to oversee HP’s review into its handling of boardroom leaks. The probe found that investigators hired by the Palo Alto-based company illegally obtained personal phone records of directors, employees and reporters.

The scandal prompted the ouster of Baskins, a 24-year HP veteran, and Chairwoman Patricia Dunn.