Fannie Mae, the largest backer of U.S. home loans, has appointed Bradley Lerman as general counsel, effective Oct. 1. Lerman joins the company from Pfizer Inc., where he was chief litigation counsel, senior vice president and associate general counsel.

Lerman's prior work experience also includes a stint at Winston & Strawn, where he was a partner and co-chair of the firm's white collar defense practice group. Between 1986 and 1994, Lerman was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, where he worked in the white collar prosecution divisions.

Lerman replaces Judith Dunn, who has served as interim general counsel since former GC Timothy Mayopoulos was promoted to the company's CEO spot in June.