Uber Technologies Inc. announced on Thursday that as it accelerates toward a projected initial public offering in 2019, it will be adding longtime Covington & Burling partner Keir Gumbs as associate general counsel, corporate transactions and deputy corporate secretary.

Gumbs, who spent the past 13 years as a partner at the firm, will begin the role at the San Francisco-based company on Sept. 1, taking over for Todd Hamblet.