Animated Top Lawyer Andrew Chang Finally Lands His Dream Job

Corporate Counsel

First DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. rolled out a chubby, green ogre called Shrek. Then the crazy Madagascar penguins and a Panda Kung Fu master. And now animated top lawyer Andrew Chang. Last week, the CG animation company named Chang, DreamWorks Animation's longtime head of litigation and technology law, their new general counsel. Chang has been with DreamWorks for seven years and has held his current position since the company?s IPO in 2004. He replaces current general counsel Katherine Kendrick, who announced on November 9 her plans to leave DreamWorks when her contract expires at the end of 2009.

GC Crowned for Worldly Know-How

Corporate Counsel

In September, Jaap Tonckens ascended to Unibail-Rodamco's legal throne.

Pinnacle West Capital's New General Counsel Aims to Climb Every Mountain

Corporate Counsel

This summer, the mountainous landscape of Arizona beckoned to David Falck, drawing him away from green, metropolitan New Jersey. The Grand Canyon State will be his new home as he takes over as executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and the Arizona Public Service Company. Despite having a new address, Falck will continue to do what he does best: working as the head legal adviser for a leading energy provider.

Rest Not So Assured for Tempur-Pedic's New GC Lou Hedrick Jones

Corporate Counsel

Mattress maker Tempur-Pedic International Inc. has named Lou Hedrick Jones to the positions of executive vice president and general counsel. The company's first-ever GC, Jones will be responsible for worldwide legal operations and will report directly to chief executive officer Mark Savary. The company, a manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of mattresses and pillows, has operations in over 70 countries.

Time to Roll 'Em for Tropicana Las Vegas Casino's New Top Lawyer

Corporate Counsel

When the Tropicana Las Vegas emerged from bankruptcy last July new owner Alex Yemenidjian was ready to shuffle the deck. He had big plans for the classic hotel-casino, including a complete renovation of the hotel rooms and casino floor in 2010. Looking for an ace in the hole, he made one of the first moves the hiring of a familiar face as his new GC, Joanne Beckett. Beckett had previously dealt for Yemenidjian at MGM Mirage, where he'd served as president as she worked as general counsel of the Golden Nugget, an MGM Mirage property.

Too Good to Pass Up for MF Global's New General Counsel Laurie Ferber

Corporate Counsel

During her 21-year tenure at Goldman Sachs & Co., Laurie Ferber encouraged her lawyer colleagues to "get their hands dirty down on the trading floor." Lawyers' direct participation in the day-to-day operations of a company is good for business, according to Ferber. "I couldn't imagine it any other way," she says. She'll be plenty involved at her new job as broker MF Global's GC.

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Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained for New Top Lawyer at Charles River Ventures

Corporate Counsel

While it may be willing to take risks in funding new start-up companies, Charles River Ventures played it safe when its general counsel position opened up. The Boston-based venture capital firm turned to a familiar face: Sarah Reed, who had occupied the post for almost eight years earlier in her career. Reed, 45, replaces Lisa Haines, who left to join law firm Outside GC. Reed originally joined Charles River in 2000 and left at the beginning of 2008 to establish a new office for Lowenstein Sandler.

By George! New Top Lawyer Strolls on Campus at Georgetown University

Corporate Counsel

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher partner Stephanie Tsacoumis has stepped onto the campus of Georgetown University every Monday this fall. She's there to teach Federal Securities Law Disclosure, a course offered at the university's law school. But the campus will soon be seeing a lot more of Tsacoumis. Starting November 2, she'll take over as the university's vice president and general counsel, an appointment announced on October 20. Tsacoumis has been an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center since 2001, but it's the work she's done at her day job that motivated her to move to the legal side of academia.

More Power to Her for Mirant Corporation's New Top Lawyer Julia Houston

Corporate Counsel

Talk about a company in turnaround mode. After battling bankruptcy from 2003 to 2006, Mirant Corporation posted profits of $380 million in the first quarter of this year. Julia Houston has been one of the legal architects of Mirant's turnaround. She joined the company mid-crisis in 2004. After serving as deputy general counsel and corporate secretary for the company, Houston was promoted to senior VP, GC, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary. She succeeds S. Linn Williams, who retired in May. Houston was unavailable for comment.

PetSmart Sets Its Eagle Eye on New Top Lawyer Emily Dickinson

Corporate Counsel

Pet supply chain PetSmart, Inc., calls all of its animal-owning employees 'pet parents.' Its new senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary will fit right in: Emily Dickinson is a 'pet parent' to a yellow labrador named Maggie, a cat named Pumpkin, and a red-eared slider turtle, Greenback, all of whom she hopes will enjoy moving with her to sunny Phoenix, where the company is headquartered. No word yet on whether she has any feathered friends, but as another Emily Dickinson taught us, 'hope is the thing with feathers.'