Review of 2016: Legal maneuvers

Höppner joins German law firm
Dörte Höppner stepped down from her role of chief executive at industry advocates Invest Europe to join P+P Pöllath + Partners as its first managing director in October.

In the newly created role, Höppner works across its three offices in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, Andreas Richter, partner at Pöllath told pfm.

P+P Pöllath + Partners is currently structured like a typical law firm with partners and associates, and has no other MDs. According to Andreas Richter, partner at Pöllath, the firm needed a managing director to coordinate its rapid growth. Höppner, who was very active in private equity at Invest Europe, will continue to be visible in the PE industry in her new role, he added.

SEC chief counsel joins Clifford Chance
Robert Rice, the former chief counsel to SEC chair Mary Jo White, joined UK-headquartered law firm Clifford Chance as a partner in the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution group. He is based in the firm’s New York office. Rice joined the firm from Ropes & Gray, where he worked as a partner in the firm’s business and securities litigation practice for just over a year.

Law firm K&L Gates hired former SEC lawyer Leslie Hakala as partner in its government and enforcement practice. Hakala spent over 13 years as senior counsel in the SEC’s Enforcement Division. During her tenure she was responsible for planning and conducting investigations into alleged violations of a range of securities laws.

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Blackstone Group named Susannah Lindenfield as general counsel for its Asia Pacific operations. Hong Kong-based Lindenfield previously served as head of international compliance and has been promoted from her role as managing director in the firm’s legal and compliance group. She is continuing to oversee compliance in the region, Blackstone said in a statement announcing the promotion.

After stepping down from her post at the US Securities and Exchange Commission in January, Julie Riewe joined Debevoise & Plimpton as a partner in the firm’s White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group in March. Riewe served as co-chief of the asset management unit at the SEC’s Division of Enforcement for two and a half years, overseeing a staff of 80 across 12 offices. She was responsible for directing the SEC’s enforcement efforts involving private equity and hedge funds.

Law firm Squire Patton Boggs appointed Colin Stirling as a senior business advisor in its global corporate practice. Stirling joins the firm in the newly-created role from Leeds-based private equity fund manager Spirit Capital, where he worked as a partner for eight years. Prior to this he was an investment director in the private equity team at Aberdeen Asset Management. He also spent 11 years at NatWest Ventures after qualifying as an accountant with KPMG.

Minnesota-based middle market firm Norwest Equity Partners and debt-focused Norwest Mezzanine Partners hired Charles Moorse as in-house general counsel. Based in Minnesota, Moorse provides expertise to the firms on all legal matters. Moorse has worked at law firm Lindquist & Vennum for 30 years, most recently as partner in the firm’s corporate and M&A practice.

US-based asset management firm PineBridge Investments has appointed Cissie Citardi as general counsel. She is based in the firm’s New York headquarters and reports to Greg Ehret, chief executive officer. Citardi was promoted from the role as acting general counsel. Prior to this she served as managing director and deputy counsel at PineBridge for six years.