Upscale hotel owner DiamondRock Hospitality Co. has hired a new general counsel just weeks after longtime legal chief Bill Tennis, 69, announced he would retire at the end of June.

Bethesda, Maryland-based DiamondRock announced the hiring of Anika Fischer, 35, this week. She comes from San Mateo, California-based Essex Property Trust, which develops, redevelops and manages nearly 250 apartment complexes with 60,272 units.