Michael Holston has been the unofficial legal face of Hewlett-Packard for many months, sitting behind Chief Executive Mark Hurd during heated congressional hearings, and standing with him at a pivotal press conference when Hurd apologized profusely for the company’s spying activities.

On Thursday, Holston became official. Hurd appointed the 44-year-old Morgan, Lewis & Bockius partner general counsel, to report directly to the CEO.