JPMorgan has named its first-ever general counsel for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), appointing London-based associate general counsel Karen Linney to the new role.
Linney joined the bank -- then called Chase Manhattan -- in 1993 from Clifford Chance, where she was an associate in the Magic Circle giant banking practice in 1993.
Her remit will cover the investment bank's advisory, capital raising and risk management arms. She will report to New York co-general counsels Diane Genova and Travis Epes and EMEA chief operating office Jakob Stott.
Linney will head up the 120-strong team alongside chief compliance officer Jim Brown and will be responsible for managing the bank's relationships with outside counsel.
A spokesperson for the bank said Linney was not planning on overhauling JPMorgan's roster of external advisers, commenting: "Karen's appointment is a reflection both of our growth in the region and of the ever-growing importance of the legal function to the bank."
Her appointment was confirmed Jan. 31 and comes amid a slew of senior legal promotions at the bank following a record year in 2007.
