In a significant leadership change, iRobot Corporation has announced Kevin Lanouette as its new General Counsel, marking the company’s second such appointment within the past 12 months. Lanouette replaces Tonya Drake, who held the role for just one year.
Lanouette arrives from Outside GC, an on-demand legal services provider, where he served as a partner. His extensive experience spans various sectors, including technology and software, with expertise in corporate law, securities, intellectual property licensing, transactions, and compliance. In his new position at iRobot, he will handle similar responsibilities as the company’s top legal advisor.
Based in Bedford, Massachusetts, iRobot is best known for its Roomba vacuum cleaners and robotic mops. Drake’s departure follows her promotion to General Counsel in January 2024, after the company’s unsuccessful merger attempt with Amazon. At that time, Glen Weinstein, the former chief legal officer, was appointed interim CEO, a role he held until May 2024. He was succeeded by Gary Cohen, who replaced Weinstein following his 24-year tenure at iRobot.
Cohen expressed gratitude to Drake, stating, “I’d like to thank Tonya for her many years of service to iRobot. Her legacy of tenacity and rigor in protecting the iRobot Company and our brand has been exemplary.” Drake will remain with the company as an advisor until March 7.
Drake, who joined iRobot nearly 11 years ago as an assistant general counsel from Fish & Richardson, played a key role during a period of transition for the company. Lanouette’s appointment follows a career that includes three years at Outside GC and 14 years at Analog Devices, a US semiconductor company. Additionally, Lanouette has held leadership positions as General Counsel at Sontra Medical Corporation and as a founding partner at the law firm Browne Rosedale & Lanouette.
Gary Cohen also remarked, “Kevin is a seasoned and highly skilled attorney whose experience in advising on complex corporate and securities, commercial, M&A, and IP protection matters will be invaluable as we execute our strategic initiatives and work toward a return to profitable growth.”
This move follows several other notable shifts in the tech industry’s legal departments, including Jim Laufman’s appointment as Chief Legal Officer at Credo, a US chip-maker, and Ava Harter’s transition to Chief Legal Officer at Lam Research from Whirlpool.
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