Newark, New Jersey-based Panasonic Corporation of North America has named a new general counsel, the electronics company announced Tuesday.

After nearly five years with Panasonic, Jessica Hodkinson, who had been serving as the company's interim in-house legal leader, has been officially promoted to general counsel and secretary. She's taking over for Damien Atkins, who left Panasonic earlier this year for a sweet GC gig at The Hershey Co.

In her new role, Hodkinson will manage all aspects of legal, including compliance, and report to the company's chairman and chief executive officer Tom Gebhardt.

“Jessica is an exceptional talent who has been an integral part of our legal team,” Gebhardt said in a statement. “Jessica has helped us navigate the constantly-changing landscape of our business, and we look forward to her leadership as we pursue continued growth and drive future successes.”

Panasonic North America is owned by Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corp.

In April 2018, the parent company and another subsidiary, Panasonic Avionics, paid about $280 million in total to the federal government to resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act allegations. Panasonic North America, however, was not involved in these cases.

Hodkinson has been with Panasonic Corporation of North America since 2013. She started as assistant general counsel, then moved up to chief counsel, litigation, labor and employment. In April 2018, she was promoted to deputy GC before stepping into the interim GC role.

Prior to joining Panasonic, Hodkinson worked as corporate counsel for Avaya Inc., Pfizer Inc., and American Standard Companies Inc. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, she began her legal career at first Kaye Scholer (now Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer), and then worked at McGuireWoods.

Hodkinson also is a member of the New Jersey Association of Corporation Counsel and the New Jersey Women's Lawyers Association and recently served on the Advisory Council of the National Association of Women and Minority Owned Law Firms.