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Societe Generale’s corporate and investment banking arm has named Steven Heineman as its new US general counsel, replacing outgoing incumbent Mark Kaplan.

Former Debevoise & Plimpton litigator Heineman joined the French banking giant in 2002 and was previously director of litigation and regulatory affairs. He will now report to group general counsel Gerard Gardella, compliance head Chris Davies and US chief executive Diony Lebot.

Kaplan, who joined the bank in 2001 as its US general counsel, took on a further role as its chief administrative officer last July to manage all the American operation’s resource functions.

Before joining Societe Generale – one of the largest non-US banks operating in the States – in 2001, Kaplan was general counsel at CIBC World Markets and previous to that he acted as managing director and director of litigation at US investment boutique Oppenheimer & Co.

He has now turned over the responsibility for the bank’s US legal function over to Heineman after acting as both general counsel and chief administration officer for five months.

Meanwhile, US biotech company Senomyx has appointed David Berger as its new general counsel. Berger joined Senomyx at the end of last year from rival biotech outfit Biosite. Previous to his role at Biosite Berger was an associate at West Coast firm Cooley Godward Kronish.

Berger replaces outgoing general counsel Harry Leonhardt, who left the company after four years as legal chief to become general counsel at pharmaceuticals giant Amylin.

Senomyx chief executive Kent Sydner commented: “David’s experience with licensing and negotiations, intellectual property and other corporate activities are particularly appropriate for Senomyx.”

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