Power Moves: The Latest Legal Appointments in Top Corporations

From Krispy Kreme to ByteDance - big brand names are adding new legal talent to their rosters.

Power Moves: The Latest Legal Appointments in Top Corporations

John Rogovin has joined ByteDance Ltd., the parent company of TikTok, as the new Global General Counsel, following his decade-long tenure as Chief Legal Officer at Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. His appointment comes as ByteDance faces a critical lawsuit against the US government over legislation requiring the company to sell its TikTok stake or risk a ban, amid concerns over its Chinese connections. ByteDance disputes the law as a First Amendment violation. TikTok's CEO Shou Chew expressed confidence in Rogovin's ability to navigate these challenges. Rogovin succeeds Erich Andersen, who will continue as Special Counsel to ByteDance and report to CEO Liang Rubo.

Stephen Simcock, formerly the lead consumer-banking lawyer at JPMorgan Chase, has been appointed General Counsel of fintech company SoFi Technologies, succeeding the retiring Rob Lavet. Simcock brings nearly a decade of experience from JPMorgan Chase, complementing his previous work at Citigroup, and will oversee legal matters, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance at SoFi. CEO Anthony Noto emphasized Simcock's financial expertise and leadership as vital for SoFi's ambitions to scale up in the fintech sector. This move underscores SoFi's dedication to leadership that aligns with its culture and values, continuing its growth trajectory in the digital financial services industry.

Atiba Adams will join Krispy Kreme as Chief Legal Officer on June 25, 2024, bringing over 20 years of legal experience from roles at Mars, Pfizer, and Bausch + Lomb. Reporting to President and CEO Josh Charlesworth, Adams' appointment is part of Krispy Kreme's strategy to bolster its leadership team. Charlesworth praised Adams' expertise in public company legal matters and the confectionery industry. Adams, enthusiastic about the role, aims to support Krispy Kreme's growth and success. He holds a B.A. from Millersville University and a J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Rob Berntsen has been appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Xcel Energy, succeeding Amanda Rome, who held the position on an interim basis. With over two decades of experience in the energy sector, Berntsen brings extensive legal and business expertise, crucial for Xcel Energy's commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable service during its clean energy transition. Previously, Berntsen held senior roles at BHE Renewables, MidAmerican Energy Company, MISO, and the Iowa Utilities Board. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Army's JAG Corps, with a deployment to Iraq. His educational background includes a juris doctor from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University.

Customer Stories

See how leading enterprise in-house teams have scaled smarter with Legal.io's high-caliber flex talent.

More from Legal.io


Community Perspectives: Is it Better to Specialize or to be an In-house Generalist?
Community Perspectives: Is it Better to Specialize or to be an In-house Generalist?

As in-house legal professionals weigh their career options, one common question is whether to choose a specific area of specialization or to remain a generalist.

Nov 06, 2020
Read More
Corporate Counsel Grapple With Expanding Strategic Demands at ACC Annual Meeting

At the ACC Annual Meeting, in-house legal leaders examined their evolving roles amid AI disruption, compliance shifts, and redefined corporate values.

Oct 23, 2025
Read More
Microsoft Elevates Cari Benn to Chief Privacy Officer Amid Growing Global Scrutiny

Microsoft promotes Cari Benn, an 18-year veteran, to chief privacy officer as global regulatory pressure on tech companies’ data and AI practices continues to mount.

Jun 13, 2025
Read More
Community Discussion: What do you find the most annoying and frustrating about your friends who are still in BigLaw?
Community Discussion: What do you find the most annoying and frustrating about your friends who are still in BigLaw?

Legal Counsel weigh in on what they find most annoying and frustrating about their friends in BigLaw.

Jan 05, 2024
Read More
Ready to hire?

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your hiring needs.

Free 15-min consultation
Legal.io Platform
5 star reviews
Hiring made smarter

Easy-to-use platform for hiring legal talent, managing spend, and optimizing your panel — plus an average savings of 50%.

Need Immediate Help?

Submit a hiring request and let our experts handle the entire process for you.