The past month has moved fast for Dana Rao. The former head of IP and litigation at Adobe Systems Inc. has jumped into the general counsel role at the San Jose, California-based company. Rao, whose promotion was announced June 18, has been learning the ropes of his new role from now-retiring Mike Dillon, who served as Adobe’s GC for six years.

Corporate Counsel spoke with Rao about how his transition is going so far, the importance of diversity and where he’s taking Adobe’s legal department next. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.