OREANDA-NEWS. General Motors today announced that General Counsel Michael Millikin informed the company of his decision to retire in early 2015. The company will immediately begin an external search for his replacement.

"Mike has had a tremendous career, spanning more than 40 years, with the vast majority of it at GM," said GM CEO Mary Barra. "He has led global legal teams through incredibly complex transactions, been a trusted and respected confidant to senior management, and even led the company's global business response team following the tragedy of 9/11.

"For me personally, Mike has been incredibly helpful over the past two decades," Barra said. "I find him a man of impeccable integrity, respectful candor, and unwavering loyalty. He will be missed. I wish him and his wife, Karen, much happiness in this next chapter of their lives."

Said Tim Solso, chairman of the General Motors Board of Directors: "Mike has served the Board extremely well. He has been a valued advisor, a strong leader and a consistent and honest voice over the past several years. On behalf of the Board, I wish him well in retirement."

Millikin, 66, will remain in his position until the transition of the new General Counsel is complete.

Some GM career highlights for Millikin:

Joined GM in 1977

Joined the overseas legal matters practice area in 1981

Named head of the in-house litigation practice area in 1987 where, among other accomplishments, he spearheaded the company's response to the theft of confidential documents and data by Jose Ignacio Lopez and some of his followers

Named Vice President and General Counsel of GM's International Operations (GMIO) in Zurich, Switzerland in 1997, and named to the GMIO Strategy Board

Named to Opel Supervisory Board in 1998

Moved to GM headquarters to coordinate the provision of GM's legal services to global operations in 2000

Named to the GMDAT (now GM Korea) Board of Directors in 2002

Named Associate General Counsel in 2005

Named General Counsel in 2009

Millikin graduated in 1970 from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science. He graduated in 1973 from Washington University School of Law and clerked for Judge Vincent J. Brennan of the Michigan Court of Appeals. In 1975, he was appointed an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit, where he concentrated on the prosecution of drug and drug conspiracy cases.