The biopharmaceutical company Gilead announced Deborah Telman will join the company as general counsel and executive vice president, corporate affairs effective Aug. 1.

Telman has more than 25 years of experience providing legal counsel to large companies, both in-house and in private practice. She most recently served as general counsel of Organon and previously served as GC of Sorrento Therapeutics.

“Deb is a highly accomplished and experienced leader and I am delighted to welcome her to Gilead,” said Gilead Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel O’Day.

“I am thrilled to join Gilead at this time as it continues to focus on delivering innovative solutions for patients with the greatest need and drive health equity globally,” Telman said. 

KKR

The global investment firm announced Kathryn King Sudol will become general counsel effective Sept. 6.

Sudol joins from the Simpson Thacher & Bartlett law firm, where she is currently global co-head of mergers and acquisitions.

During her 24-year career at the firm, Sudol has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as a longtime member of the firm’s Executive Committee and as head of the firm’s M&A practice in Asia from 2010 through 2018.

“Katie has worked very closely with KKR and members of our senior team both in the U.S. and internationally for many, many years,” said Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, co-CEOs of KKR. “We are delighted that she has decided to join KKR, and we are excited to work with her as a strategic partner for years to come in achieving our growth objectives.”

State Bar of California

The country’s largest attorney licensing agency announced it has named Ellin Davtyan as its new general counsel effective Aug. 18.

Davtyan will join the State Bar after serving as senior associate general counsel at L.A. Care Health Plan (L.A. Care), the nation’s largest public health plan. Before joining L.A. Care in 2011, Davtyan’s practice centered on public and municipal law while representing numerous governmental and public sector clients. 

“The Board was impressed by Ms. Davtyan’s vision for the State Bar’s Office of General Counsel and her experience and acumen providing counsel to those leading a large, complex public institution with a diverse constituency,” said Ruben Duran, the bar’s Board chair. “We are excited she is joining us and know she will excel in the role.”

Axon

The public safety technology company best known for its TASER devices announced it has promoted Isaiah Fields to the role of chief legal officer.

Fields, who joined Axon in 2011 as litigation counsel, most recently served as the company’s executive vice president and general counsel.

In his tenure at Axon, Fields has negotiated record-breaking contracts for the company and led strategies to significantly curtail product litigation and protect Axon's intellectual property rights.

"As a publicly traded leading provider of public safety technology, Axon operates in an intricate legal and regulatory environment that is scaling in complexity as we expand globally,” said Rick Smith, Axon’s founder and CEO. “I am confident that Isaiah's leadership, devotion to his team and passion for our mission will help Axon successfully navigate this phase of rapid growth."

RRA Capital

The investment firm specializing in CRE bridge loans announced it has named Dimple Patel general counsel and chief compliance officer.

Patel, previously a partner at the Philadelphia-based Raju law firm, has more than 15 years of experience in structured finance. She also worked as a partner at the Dilworth Paxson law firm. 

Marc Grayson, president & COO of RRA Capital, said Patel “will help RRA further its mission of delivering exceptional service and intelligent investments to our clients and partners."