United Continental Holdings, the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines, has appointed Sara Lee's top legal counsel, Brett Hart, as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Hart, who will join the company by Dec. 15, replaces Tom Sabatino, who is leaving United.

In his new position, Hart will be responsible for managing the company’s legal affairs worldwide. He will report directly to President and CEO, Jeff Smisek.

Hart most recently served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Sara Lee Corporation, where he directed global legal operations for the corporation. Prior to Sara Lee, Hart was a partner with law firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal in Chicago, and previously served as special assistant to the general counsel at the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C.