Dow Jones has swiped Harper Collins associate general counsel Mark Jackson to head up its legal team.

Jackson is to take over from current Dow Jones general counsel Joseph Stern, who joined the financial newswire in 2004 as general counsel and company secretary from the New York office of Dow Jones' main corporate adviser, Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobsen.

Jackson joined the publishing house in 2003 from legacy law firm Squadron Ellenoff Plesent & Sheinfeld, now part of Hogan & Hartson, where he was a partner in the firm's media practice. He will report to Dow Jones chief executive Les Hinton when he takes on the new role.

Commenting on the appointment, Hinton said: "[Jackson] has made outstanding contributions to Harper Collins and I know that his considerable experience with all facets of the media industry, combined with his superlative legal acumen, will be valuable assets to Dow Jones."

The move follows the confirmation this month of Dow Jones' takeover by News Corporation, which also owns Harper Collins. Rupert Murdoch's media conglomerate snapped up the 125-year-old company and its flagship title, the Wall Street Journal, in a deal worth $5bn (£2.46bn).

A raft of New York firms bagged roles on the deal. Skadden Arps Meagher & Flom represented News Corporation, while Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Fried Frank advised Dow Jones. Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz also won a key role, acting for Dow Jones' majority shareholder, the Bancroft family.