With an eye on expansion, Burns White recently joined the ranks of midsize firms with a designated general counsel position.

The firm announced that partner James Schadel would serve as general counsel, with Amanda Sargent as associate general counsel. The change came on the heels of a number of lateral hires, and just before the firm opened a new office to accommodate growth in the Pittsburgh region.

Schadel joined Burns White in 2015 and primarily represents lawyers and other professionals. He said he knows a number of other midsize firms that have a designated general counsel. At 140 lawyers, he said, Burns White is in the size range where it becomes necessary to dedicate a lawyer in-house to represent the firm and advise on legal or ethical issues.