US asset manager Pacific Investment Management Company (Pimco) has lined up Rick LeBrun as its next general counsel, replacing Sung-Hee Suh who is retiring at the end of this year.
LeBrun is currently Pimco’s head of alternatives business management. As GC, he will oversee all legal matters for the firm. He brings deep investment management expertise to the role, including private credit and M&A matters. He will take up his new position on 1 January.
Newport Beach, California-based Pimco is a fixed income-focused investment firm with more than $2trn in assets under management.
Emmanuel Roman, Pimco’s CEO, said: “Rick brings deep expertise across Pimco’s alternatives platform, legal and transaction matters, and business management, giving him a strong understanding of the firm’s clients, risk framework and governance priorities.”
LeBrun has been with Pimco for just over two decades, previously serving as deputy GC for the asset manager’s alternative funds and transactions business.
Prior to joining Pimco, he was an associate at Ropes & Gray.
Suh, meanwhile, is set to retire after a 36-year legal career that has included stints at the US Department of Justice and leading White & Case’s New York white collar and investigations practice. She joined Pimco in 2018 as global head of regulatory risk and compliance, before becoming GC in 2024. She will remain on in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.
Roman added: “Sung-Hee has made invaluable contributions to Pimco and our clients over her eight years. Through her judgement, integrity and steady leadership, Sung-Hee has upheld the highest legal, regulatory and ethical standards and helped ensure we continue to earn the trust of clients, regulators and stakeholders around the world.”
In other recent in-house finance moves, back in July Goldman Sachs promoted deputy GC Michael Bosworth to acting GC, replacing Kathy Ruemmler who stepped down following intense scrutiny into her ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In May, US investment manager Cohen & Steers said it was lining up deputy GC Brian Heller as its next legal chief when incumbent Francis Poli retires next year.
And in April, UK banking giant Barclays said it was hiring WilmerHale’s finance chair Stephanie Avakian as its next global GC, who was due to replace Stephen Shapiro at the start of July.
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