DETROIT - General Motors has named Craig Glidden executive vice president and general counsel, effective March 1, reported MLive.

Glidden, 57, replaces Michael Millikin, 66, who is retiring in July.

Millikin faced harsh criticism from lawmakers on Capitol Hill for his department's handling of GM's ignition switch recall crisis, with one senator even wondering aloud why he had not been fired.

GM CEO Mary Barra defended Millikin's work to lawmakers. Millikin has been with the company for four decades, including five years as legal counsel.

Glidden will now lead GM's legal team, which is integrated into the company's regional and functional teams in more than 30 countries.

"Craig Glidden has had a distinguished career managing complex legal issues around the world, and his broad legal and senior management expertise fits perfectly with our strategic priorities and plans for global growth," Barra said in a release Thursday.

Glidden was most recently executive vice president and chief legal officer for LyondellBasell Industries, a plastics, chemicals and refining company. Before that, he was senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. And prior to that, he had a private law practice.

"I'm enthused to be joining General Motors and its management team to help drive the company forward," Glidden said in the release. "The company has made significant progress in recent years and I look forward to further advancing the business goals.