German car manufacturing giant Volkswagen has picked up David Detweiler as its new regional general counsel for the US. Mr Detweiler was formerly a banking counsel in Germany with UK-based international law firm Clifford Chance. He replaced outgoing US legal chief David Geanacopoulos at the start of February. After eight years as regional GC, Mr Geanacopoulos has shifted to spearheading VW's lobbying efforts in the US from a new office in Washington DC.

Meanwhile, Fortune 100 petroleum company Tesoro has scooped up former Kraft Food Group GC and executive VP of corporate and legal affairs Kim Rucker as its own new executive vice president and general counsel. Ms Rucker will succeed retiring Tesoro GC Charles Parrish, who has held the role since 2005. Prior to working with Kraft, Ms Rucker served as senior VP, GC and chief compliance officer for Avon Products. She will step into her new role on 14 March.

Interactive entertainment company and 'Rock Band 4' co-publisher Mad Catz lost its general counsel and senior vice president of business affairs Whitney Peterson on the eve of releasing its third quarter results. Ms Peterson resigned from her position along with chairman Thomas Brown and CEO Darren Richardson. Associate general counsel Tyson Marshall will now step up into the role of GC.

Rutgers University has named John J. Hoffman as its new GC. A graduate of Duke University School of Law, Mr Hoffman has been serving as the acting Attorney General for the state of New Jersey since June 2013, having previously served in the senior leadership team of former New Jersey State Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa. He will assume the GC post at Rutgers on 14 March.

Finally, Nuance Communications has brought on former Cyan GC, vice president and secretary Ken Siegel as its new chief legal officer. Mr Siegel will take over from Bruce Bowden, who has operated as acting general counsel since 2015. Prior to moving in-house, Mr Siegel practiced with Californian business, securities and intellectual property specialist firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.