Newspaper publisher Lee Enterprises has named lawyer Theodore Olt as general counsel, succeeding C. Dana Waterman—who’s held the job for 34 years, a span that included the historic collapse of the newspaper industry.

His successor, Olt, also has helped guide Lee through those stormy seas, in his capacity as outside counsel for the company for two decades. He’s a partner at Davenport’s Lane & Waterman, where he’s worked since 1995.