Following the return of Tom Kilroy to Misys, Genus, a leading provider of bovine genetics and reproduction services yesterday (June 9) announced the appointment of Dan Hartley as group general counsel (GC) and company secretary.
Hartley, a former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer senior associate, joins from Shire Pharmaceuticals, where he has worked since 2002 as a senior legal counsel and associate general counsel.
After being admitted to practice law in Australia, Hartley worked initially with Allens Arthur Robinson and then Andersen Legal on biotech patent litigation, before moving to Freshfields in the UK in 2000. In 2002, he joined Shire where he held a number of roles of increasing seniority including general counsel for Europe and global counsel for Shire’s biologics business, before being appointed as Shire’s international counsel for all ex-US operations.
Commenting on the appointment, Karim Bitar, Genus’ chief executive, said: ‘We are delighted that Dan has chosen to join Genus. He has experience across a wide range of legal matters, including corporate governance, acquisitions and licensing. Additionally, he brings a broad scientific background and international experience having lived and worked in the UK, US and Australia.’
Hartley’s appointment arises after the departure in April of former GC Tom Kilroy, who returned to banking software firm Misys as chief of staff, after a five month spell at the animal genetics company.
According to Genus’ website, at the time of Kilroy’s departure, Baker & McKenzie senior associate Ron Kirschner was seconded as interim GC.