01/19/09
Johnson Appointed as Defense Department GC
A partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, Jeh C. Johnson has been selected for the second time for public service by a U.S. president. Johnson served for nearly two years as general counsel for the U.S. Air Force under President Bill Clinton. Johnson was selected on Thursday by President-elect Barack Obama to become the general counsel of the Department of Defense. Though he has been selected, his appointment awaits confirmation by the Senate. Johnson, who began his career as a trial lawyer in 1989 as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, holds an impressive resume and, upon confirmation, will surely serve his country well.
Chadbourne & Parke Obtains New IP Counsel
John A. Squires was convinced by Chadbourne & Parke to leave his position as chief intellectual property counsel with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. In his new position with Chadbourne & Parke, Squires will co-chair the intellectual property division with Walter G. Hanchuk. Squires has a solid background in intellectual property and is credited with both founded Goldman Sach's patent practice and giving the practice a more global focus. Chadbourne is hoping to get much the same results from Squires. Managing Partner Charles K. O'Neill commented, ''John is a high-profile intellectual property lawyer who will play a vital part in one of the firm's major objectives, which is to continue to grow an international, full-service intellectual property practice.''
Serious Fraud Office Appoints First GC
Vivian Robinson QC, currently a member of barristers' chambers QEB Hollis Whiteman, has recently been appointed as general counsel for the United Kingdom Serious Fraud Office (SFO)—their first GC ever, in fact. Robinson will officially start in the spring, but in the meantime will work closely with SFO. A report from de Grazia, published last year, criticized the SFO for its low conviction rate and recommended that the SFO appoint a strong chief counsel. Robinson's appointment is the result.
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