business briefs

• Christopher J. Leonard, managing partner of National Intellectual property law firm’s Knoxville office, will take over as chief executive officer starting July 1. He will succeed Brian H. Batzli as National Intellectual’s CEO, managing director and chairman of the board.

• Jimmy Tallent, longtime United Community Bank CEO, will be retiring from his current position effective June 30 and moving into his new role as executive chairman of UCB’s board of directors.

Tallent will be succeeded by Lynn Harton, president and CEO of United’s banking subsidiary.