Reuters reports that Apple’s chief patent lawyer Richard “Chip” Lutton Junior is leaving the company over yet to be determined reasons. Lutton’s departure is said to be pretty ill timed as the company has locked horns with several companies regarding patents.

Apple recently filed a second complaint against HTC for patent infringement and it’s in legal battle with Samsung. However, it did lose against Nokia and agreed to pay royalties and an unknown lump sum.

Apple moved quickly though as HP’s former patent attorney BJ Watrous seems to have already taken his place. Apple, Lutton and Watrous all refused to comment, but we suspect that Lutton simply grew weary of being the devil’s advocate.

More here.