Dunkin’ Brands, has announced that the company’s controversial chief legal counsel Stephen Horn is leaving to pursue new opportunities. Arthur Anastos, director and managing counsel, will assume management of the legal department, on an interim basis, effective immediately.

Horn's departure follows a slew of scathing media reports surrounding the roughly 350 lawsuits between Dunkin’ and its franchisees. Lawyers of the store owners have accused the company of aggressively targeting the shop owners in an effort to terminate their franchise agreements and pay hefty penalties and legal fees for alleged contract violations.

"We plan to quickly recruit an experienced general counsel from the outside," CEO Nigel Travis said in a letter to employees. "With that hiring of a new general counsel, we will have finalized our Dunkin’ Brands leadership team."