Starbucks, whose board recently hailed its chief legal officer for leading the company through "extraordinary legal and governance matters," made a surprise announcement late Wednesday that Bradley Lerman is leaving the company.

"Brad ... and I have been talking about what makes sense for him and for our legal team and Brad will be leaving Starbucks in the coming months," Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol wrote in a letter to employees announcing a number of leadership changes.

See Full Page