• Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, has added Monika Tashman as a partner in the firm's entertainment practice. Prior to joining, she was a partner at Fox Rothschild.

• Tara Higgins has joined Sidley Austin as a partner in the firm's global energy and infrastructure practice. She joins from Orrick, where she was co-head of that firm's global power practice.

• David Fruchtman has joined Steptoe & Johnson as a partner with the firm's tax group where he will focus on state and local tax (SALT) matters.

• Jennifer Recine has joined Stroock as a partner. She was previsouly with Kasowitz Benson Torres.

• iStar Inc. announced the appointment of Douglas Heitner as chief legal officer and the retirement of vice chairman and chief legal officer, Nina Matis. Heitner joins the company's executive team effective March 11. Matis will remain on as vice chairman until July to oversee the transition.

• Mintz has added commercial real estate lawyer Stephen MacDonald as a member. He joins from Mayer Brown.

• Mayer Brown has hired Matthew Gaul as a partner in New York and part of the corporate & securities practice team led by partner Kara Baysinger (California) and Stephanie Duchene (Los Angeles). The team previously practiced at Dentons. In addition, the firm has added Elena Rubinov as a partner also in the firm's corporate & securities practice. She previously was a partner at Bracewell.

• Giorgio Bovenzi has joined Haynes and Boone as a partner in the firm's finance practice group. He was previously at Dentons.

• Valentino Vasi has joined Seward & Kissel as counsel in the firm's investment management group. He joins from Carter Ledyard & Milburn.

• DLA Piper's Pralash “PK” Paran is leaving the firm's London office to join its New York office as a partner in the firm's corporate practice.

• Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck has elevated Elizabeth Marchionni, Aaron Solomon and David Group to partner. In addition, Seth Frankel has been promoted to counsel.

• Allen & Overy announced that Nick Robinson has joined the firm as partner in the securitization and structured finance practice. Prior to joining, he was special counsel Milbank.