Around the house

Former federal prosecutor Michael Farbiarz has been named the new general counsel of the Port Authority of New York. A senior fellow at New York University School of Law, Mr Farbiarz carries more than 10 years’ experience as a prosecutor in the Southern District US Attorney’s Office, where he served as co-chief of its terrorism and international narcotics unit between 2009 and 2014. He replaces interim general counsel Richard Holwell, who has filled the role since the resignation of Darrell Buchbinder at the end of last year.

Meanwhile, New York-headquartered manufacturing and packaging giant Alcoa has picked Kate Hargrove Ramundo to take over as executive vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary of the soon-to-be separated Arconic. Ms Ramundo is taking the reins from incumbent CLO Audrey Strauss, who plans to retire once the company’s division is complete. She joins from women’s apparel retailer ANN Inc, where she also served as general counsel, and previously held the deputy GC post at Colgate-Palmolive.

Canal & River Water Trust (formerly British Waterways) general counsel and corporate secretary Jackie Lewis is leaving after 15 years to take up the role of GC at Aurora Hotels. Ms Lewis previously worked for City law firm Clifford Chance for five years before moving in-house. She will take up her new role on 31 October.

Online foreign exchange and CFDs brokerage OANDA has hired Javier Martell from mobile payments company Boku as its new general counsel and corporate secretary. Mr Martell has more than 20 years’ experience providing legal advice to technology companies. At Boku, he served as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary.

Finally, Massachusetts-based Blueprint Medicines has named Tracey McCain as its new chief legal officer and executive vice president. With over 20 years’ experience advising biopharmaceutical companies, Ms McCain joins Blueprint from her most recent post as senior vice president and head of legal at Sanofi Genzyme. Prior to moving in-house, Ms McCain was an associate at Palmer & Dodge.