Mary Beth is succeeding Mary Jo.
With Mary Jo White departing Debevoise & Plimpton for the Securities and Exchange Commission, the law firm announced on Monday that it had named Mary Beth Hogan as co-chair of its litigation department. Ms. White held this role, alongside John S. Kiernan, until the Senate cleared her last week to become S.E.C. chairwoman.
The new role for Ms. Hogan, a 22-year Debevoise veteran, will make her one of Wall Street’s top lawyers. Debevoise routinely counsels JPMorgan Chase and other big banks when they encounter federal investigations.
It is familiar work for Ms. Hogan. She has represented JPMorgan, UBS and the Carlyle Group, among other financial giants. And in recent years, she built a practice focused on the mortgage industry, including investigations into mortgage-backed securities.
“I am excited and humbled to work with the members of what has become one of the nation’s leading litigation departments,†Ms. Hogan said in a statement announcing the move.
In her tenure at Debevoise, Ms. Hogan has held several senior roles. After making partner in 1999, she served two terms on the firm’s management committee. And she co-founded a group that champions the advancement of women at the firm.
Unlike Ms. White, Ms. Hogan has no government experience. But she sits on the boards of nonprofit groups, including Nazareth Housing, which focuses on homelessness prevention efforts.
“Mary Beth is a logical choice for this important role,†Michael W. Blair, Debevoise’s presiding partner, said in the statement. “We are very pleased that she will assume this key position.â€
