Tyco Taps Former Federal Judge Jim Lechner as Vice President, Chief Co

PEMBROKE, Bermuda, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tyco International Ltd., today announced that Alfred J. ("Jim") Lechner, Jr., will join Tyco as its vice president and chief counsel for litigation -- effective January 31, 2005. Lechner will report to William Lytton, Tyco's executive vice president and general counsel. Lechner replaces Gardner Courson, who was recently appointed general counsel of Tyco Fire & Security and remains a vice president and deputy general counsel of Tyco International.

Lechner, 57, joins Tyco from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP where he has been a partner since 2001. Prior to joining Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP, Lechner was United States district judge for the District of New Jersey from 1986 to 2001. He also served for two years as Superior Court judge for New Jersey. Prior to his judicial service, Lechner practiced law in New Jersey and New York. Additionally, he is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

William Lytton said, "We are pleased to have an attorney and jurist of Jim Lechner's caliber joining the Tyco team. He is a highly regarded professional and we are confident that his experience and expertise will serve Tyco well. He is an example of the legal excellence and ethical leadership that we have set as our goal in the Tyco Law Department."

In his new capacity, Lechner will oversee Tyco's global litigation portfolio, as well as provide strategic and tactical leadership for the litigation practice management group.

Lechner is a recognized expert in the field of securities litigation. He has lectured widely on the topic and published nearly three dozen opinions in this area. As a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP, Lechner was a trial lawyer whose practice focused on securities law, class action defense, commercial litigation, and patent litigation.

Lechner commented, "Tyco International is a successful global player in a variety of businesses. I look forward to the challenge of managing the company's litigation portfolio and to being a part of an outstanding group of professionals."

Lechner earned his Juris Doctor from University of Notre Dame School of Law and his Bachelor of Science in political science from Xavier University.

Tyco International Ltd. is a global, diversified company that provides vital products and services to customers in five business segments: Fire & Security, Electronics, Healthcare, Engineered Products & Services, and Plastics & Adhesives. With 2004 revenue of $40 billion, Tyco employs approximately 260,000 people worldwide. More information on Tyco can be found at http://www.tyco.com/.