Around the house

International Swaps and Derivatives Association general counsel David Geen has stepped down from his role after almost 10 years. ISDA general counsel for the Americas Katherine Tew Darras will replace Mr Geen on an interim basis until a permanent successor is found. Prior to joining the ISDA in 2006, Mr Geen served as an executive director and senior counsel at Goldman Sachs and as a partner at Baker & McKenzie. He will formally depart the association on 31 March.

Meanwhile, Balfour Beatty Investments senior commercial manager Tamsyn McLean has left to become the first general counsel at Zaha Hadid Architects. Ms McClean came in-house in 2013 after a seven-year career at Allen & Overy. As the architecture firm’s first legal head, Ms McLean will be responsible for negotiating contracts, managing disputes and operational legal issues, and advising Zaha Hadid’s management team on business development initiatives. 

Federal Trade Commission general counsel Jonathan E. Nuechterlein confirmed this week that he will join law firm Sidley Austin as a partner and co-head of its Communications Regulatory practice. He will also join the firm’s Antitrust/Competition practice. Prior to joining the FTC, Mr Nuechterlein enjoyed a 12-year career at international firm WilmerHale and a brief stint as deputy general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission. 

Chicago-based Wolverine Asset Management has appointed Niraj Patel as its new chief legal and compliance officer. A former associate at Sidley Austin, Mr Patel brings a wealth of experience in compliance issues for hedge funds and private equity management funds to his new role. Wolverine is an alternative investment manager specialising in equity, credit commodity and volatility assets, with around $6bn currently under management.

Finally, John Hopkins University’s interim vice president and general counsel Paul Pineau has been invited to fill the role on a permanent basis. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Mr Pineau joined John Hopkins in 2014 as vice provost for strategic initiatives and has served as interim general counsel since August.