Wake Up Call: ExxonMobil’s New General Counsel Formerly With Fox

Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel.

• Former Fox Corp. General Counsel Jeffrey Taylor has been tapped to take the same role with Exxon Mobil Corp., succeeding Craig Morford. Morford has faced a raft of litigation over climate change, including allegations that the company deceived shareholders and the public about climate realities and risks. (Exxon Mobil Corp.)
• Wintell & Co’s Shenzhen, China branch is expanding after combining with the boutique First Heart & Faith Law Firm and its 17 lawyers. The boutique, which was established in April of 2023, represented clients across financial, real estate, and energy sectors, and advised on compliance, intellectual property, M&A, restructuring, and related issues. (China Business Law Journal)
• Skadden has announced it’s bringing on Annemarie Crouch to become its first “chief people officer” at the end of June. Crouch had been the chief human resources officer at Fried Frank since 2016, according to her LinkedIn page. Skadden Executive Partner Jeremy London said that Crouch has an “exceptional track record” of creating and implementing integrated global talent strategies. (Skadden)
• The “prevalent drinking culture” in law firms in Bangladesh and Pakistan, with social events often focused around pubs, can create an “uncomfortable environment” that forces Muslim aspiring lawyers to navigate situations that conflict with their religious beliefs, a new report found. It also found candidates often feel anxious about leaving their desks to pray, fearing it might negatively impact “how their commitment is perceived.” (Legal Cheek)

Laterals, Moves, In-house

• Penny Groel has rejoined Dentons as a capital markets partner in its Los Angeles office.
• Colin Bowes-Carlson has rejoined Baker McKenzie in Chicago as a partner with its global transactional team.
• Michael Scoville has joined McGuireWoods as a disputes and government investigations partner. He joins from Perkins Coie.
• Adam Doupé has joined Buchalter’s Seattle office as a shareholder with the firm’s litigation and health care practice groups.
• Patrick Murphy and Jennifer Tatum have joined Lewis Brisbois as partners in the firm’s Kansas City, Missouri office.
• Zachary Garsek has joined Polsinelli as a shareholder in its newly launched Fort Worth, Texas office, along with counsel Elizabeth Hatch and two associates.
• Carville Collins has joined Saul Ewing as an energy and public utilities partner in its Baltimore office.