The African Development Bank has picked Hélène N'Garnim-Ganga as its new general counsel. Ms N’Garnim-Ganga will assume her new position next March, having most recently served as the bank’s representative in Mali. Before joining the ADB in 2009, she spent three years as head of legal for the French Development Agency and previously worked in the New York and Paris offices of US law firm Coudert Brothers prior to its breakup. Her ascension to the role of general counsel comes as incumbent ADB GC Vincent Nmehielle steps up as the bank’s secretary general from 1 September.

Meanwhile, Fiat Chrysler has confirmed that Chris Pardi took over as general counsel of the carmaker’s US arm last month. A spokesperson for the company reported that former GC Marjorie Loeb has resigned from the company to spend more time with her family. Mr Pardi joined the company in 2004 from Deloitte, where he worked n the accounting giant’s tax services group.

Office supplies retailer Office Depot has promoted current deputy general counsel Steve Calkins to the role of executive vice president and chief legal officer. He replaces former GC Elisa Garcia, who departed the company earlier this year. Office Depot’s chief executive officer Roland Smith has also announced plans to retire as soon as a suitable successor is found for the role.

UK-based electronics business Dialight has selected its first ever general counsel in the form of Chris Fussell, a longtime in-house lawyer for business process and technology services provider Xchanging. Mr Fussell joined Xchanging as a legal counsel 14 years ago, and was promoted to the role of general counsel and company secretary last year. Before moving in-house, he also held roles at Norton Rose Fulbright and legacy firm Beachcroft.

Finally, private markets investing company Hamilton Lane has tapped Lydia Gavalis to become its new deputy general counsel. Ms Gavalis’ appointment comes as Hamilton Lane’s current general counsel Robert Cleveland prepared to retire next year after more than 16 years with the company. She joins Hamilton Lane after an 18-year career with SEI, where she has spent the last 10 years as general counsel of the company’s Institutional Investors business segment.