Intel's general counsel Bruce Sewell has beaten a hasty retreat from Chipzilla in favour of a new job over at Apple.

Sewell hung up his Intel boots yesterday on the same day that the company’s long-serving senior digital veep Pat Gelsinger was poached by storage giant EMC.

Intel’s chief lawyer joined the firm in 1995, during which time he has battled with competition watchdogs in Asia, the US and Europe, where he has fervently defended Intel against antitrust claims.

Apple said Sewell would replace its current general counsel, Daniel Cooperman, who will retire from the Cupertino-based firm at the end of September.

“We are thrilled to have Bruce join our executive team, and wish Dan a very happy retirement,” said Apple boss Steve Jobs.

“With Bruce’s extensive experience in litigation, securities and intellectual property, we expect this to be a seamless transition.”

A tight-lipped Intel said yesterday that Sewell had "decided to leave the company to pursue other opportunities". It has already taken down Sewell’s corporate biography from its website. ®

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