IBM settles legal dispute with Microsoft's new diversity chief

After suing to enforce a non-compete agreement, IBM has settled its dispute with Microsoft's new diversity chief, Lindsay-Rae McIntyre. As reported by Axios, McIntyre will now begin her new role at Microsoft in July.

The resolution comes just a few weeks after the dispute began, following Microsoft's announcement that McIntyre, a former HR leader at IBM, had been hired is its next chief diversity officer (CDO). Not long after the announcement, IBM sued to stop McIntyre's move, claiming that she was in violation of a non-compete agreement.

Specifically, IBM argued that McIntyre was one of its "most senior executives with knowledge of IBM's most closely guarded and competitively sensitive strategic plans and recruitment initiatives." The suit further claimed that it would be "inevitable" that McIntyre would use confidential recruiting strategies to go after similar talent for Microsoft.

In statements to Axios, IBM said it "pleased" by the resolution. From IBM:

We're pleased the court granted IBM's motion for a temporary restraining order, protecting IBM's confidential information and diversity strategies. We're glad the action has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties and that Ms. McIntyre will not begin her new responsibilities until July.

Microsoft said it is "thrilled" that McIntyre will be taking up her role as CDO starting in July.