GC Appointments

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has named Jeanne R. Rentezelas general counsel and vice president. For the past 15 months, Rentezelas served as counsel at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in Washington.

Jonathan D. Niemeyer was named general counsel and senior vice president of Cincinnati-based Western & Southern Financial Group. Niemeyer, who has been with the company since 2001, formerly served as the company's vice president and associate general counsel.

Kathleen Shea-Ballay was named general counsel, vice president and corporate secretary of Sunoco Logistics Partners LP, a crude oil pipeline operator headquartered in Philadelphia. Shea-Ballay has been with the company since 2005 and previously served as assistant general counsel.

Shelia Cheston joins London-based shipbuilder and defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation
as general counsel. Cheston was previously executive vice president of BAE Systems, Inc.

BAE Systems, Inc. is promoting Ian T. Graham to general counsel and senior vice president. Graham currently serves as deputy general counsel and vice president at the company.

Solar power producer Solar Power Partners named M. Shakil Rahman general counsel and senior vice president. Rahman was previously general counsel at Sapphire Power Partners.

Virgin America, based in Burlingame, Calif., appointed John Varley general counsel and senior vice president. Varley was formerly vice president and deputy general counsel for Delta Airlines, where he worked for 22 years.

Lorrie D. Scott has been named general counsel, vice president and corporate secretary of Potlatch Corporation, a Real Estate Investment Trust. Scott previously served as general counsel and senior vice president for Weyerhaeuser Realty Investors.

Houston-based Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation, an independent exploration and production company, named Paul M. Johnston general counsel and senior vice president. Johnston previously served as general counsel for an SEC registered investment advisor.

Ignacio Alvarez has joined banking institution Popular Inc. as general counsel and executive vice president. Alvarez formerly worked at Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez, where he was a founding partner.

Brian Woram will join KB Home as general counsel, executive vice president and secretary. Woram was previously general counsel and senior vice president at H&R Block in Kansas City.

Harley-Davidson named Paul J. Jones general counsel and vice president. Jones previously served as general counsel for Regal Beloit Inc.

The FCC has appointed Rick Kaplan as general counsel and senior advisor to the chairman. Kaplan was previously chief of staff for Democratic Commissioner Mignon Clyburn.

Bruce Gottlieb will join Atlantic Media as general counsel. Gottlieb was previously general counsel and senior advisor to the chairman for the FCC.

Other In-House News

Whitney Thier has joined Cantor Gaming, an affiliate of global financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald, as deputy general counsel, vice president and assistant secretary. Thier formerly served as general counsel and secretary for Fountainebleau Resorts LLC.

Walmart has promoted General Counsel and Executive Vice President Jeff Gearhart, who will take on the role of corporate secretary in addition to his current positions.

Law Firm News

Dan Cotter joined Lindemann LLC as chair of corporate, transactional and regulatory practice. Cotter formerly served as deputy general counsel at Argo Group.

Ronald Meisburg has joined Proskauer Rose as a partner in the firm's labor and employment law department. Meisburg was formerly general counsel for the National Labor Relations Board.