Alphabet's (GOOGL) - Get Report Waymo has hired Tekedra Mawakana as its new VP of public policy and government affairs, according to Recode.

The hire illustrates the company preparing for a legal war against Uber regarding autonomous vehicles, and for policy battles regarding government affairs with Washington and around the country.

"As we take fully self-driving cars to the roads, Tekedra will work with policymakers at all levels to realize the enormous safety, mobility and economic benefits of this technology," CEO of Waymo John Krafcik said in a statement to Recode on Monday.

Mawakana has previously served as VP of global government relations at eBay (EBAY) - Get Report, Yahoo's! (YHOO) deputy general counsel and has held policy positions over the course of about a dozen years at AOL.

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