US student loans company Sallie Mae has named deputy general counsel Michael Sheehan as its new legal chief, taking over from former incumbent Robert Lavet.

Sheehan, who joined Sallie Mae in 1992, was named as interim general counsel when Lavet left the group on 31 January. He played a key role in the privatisation of the company, which included the refinancing of assets worth $100bn (£50.95bn), and now heads up Sallie Mae’s stable of 29 in-house lawyers.