GC Appointments

We know that German engineering and electronics company Siemens AG likes to stick with tradition when it comes to patent application. So when it comes to selecting a new head of the legal division, it should come as no surprise that the company has decided to stay in-house as well. Andrea Christian Hoffmann has been named the Siemen's new GC and head of the Legal and Compliance Department, taking over duties from the departing Peter Solmssen. Hoffmann joined Siemens as GC of the company's industry sector in 2008 before being named GC Corporate and Finance in 2010. Hoffman has also worked in-house at a number of other companies, including BMW and General Electric.

 

Expecting supermarket chain Kroger Co. to search far and wide for just the right brand of expert to lead its legal team? As it turns out, the company feels the right person for the job was prominently placed on its shelves all along. Christine Wheatley has been named Kroger's new GC and secretary; she will replace Paul W. Heldman when he retires in spring 2014. Wheatley previously served as the company's vice president, senior counsel and assistant secretary. She joined Kroger as corporate counsel in 2008 after 11 years in private practice.

 

Promotional agency Creata USA didn't need to advertise its open chief legal officer position for long before bringing in an in-house veteran to fill their top job. Jay Gerak has been named the company's senior legal counsel, as well as its first chief U.S. counsel for the agency which specializes in promotional games for U.S. and international companies. Gerak comes to Creata with a wealth of in-house experience in different fields, having worked as counsel for T-Mobile, Sears Roebuck and Co. and Motorola, Inc., as well as at the law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery.

 

Abu Dhabi-based energy company TAQA hopes that its legal department will receive a jolt with the inclusion of Michael T. McGuinty as the company's new general counsel and company secretary. McGuinty previously worked for oilfield services company Schlumberger, where he held an array of various top legal positions in the Middle East, Europe and North America. Most recently, he served as Schlumberger's deputy general counsel and director of compliance. “I am looking forward to joining such a well-established and dynamic international company,” McGuinty said in a release. “This is a unique opportunity to help shape TAQA's future in a complex and fast-moving industry.”  

 

Global aviation company DynCorp International is flying high after its most recent promotion to the company's GC position. Lawrence A. Grayer has been named DynCorp senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, culminating a rise up the company ranks that began with his hire in 2006. Before his promotion, Grayer most recently served as vice president and deputy general counsel. Grayer has previously served as assistant general counsel with Amalgamated Transit Union, as well as practicing private law with Hack, Piro, O'Day, Merklinger, Wallace & McKenna.

 

Switzerland-based oil and gas well drilling company TransOcean has announced a new head to its legal team, and to lead the charge, it decided to bring on an attorney with experience in both Europe and the United States in a variety of fields. Lars Sjöbring comes to TransOcean from automotive safety supplier Autoliv, Inc., where he served as company GC. Sjöbring also worked for Nokia Corporation as senior legal counsel and subsequently director legal, M&A, working with the company between 2003 and 2007.

Other In-House Moves

So what has Rudy Gadre, former general counsel of Facebook and ex-Amazon attorney, been up to since getting out of the in-house legal world? It seems that the answer is going the angel investor route, as GeekWire reports that Gadre has teamed up as a general partner in venture capital firm Founder's Co-op. Gadre believes that the firm can be a “world class destination” for start-up companies to promote innovation. “I believe we'll be able to make a significant contribution to the future of the region's economy, and with our combined strengths and networks there will be no better place for great Northwest entrepreneurs to find investors and partners who can help them realize their visions,” Gadre said in a release.

Photo courtesy of GeekWire