Citigroup hires ex-JP Morgan legal chief

JP Morgan's former head of legal has rejoined the financial services sector, taking on Citigroup's newly-created role as general counsel of its international group.
Rachel Robbins, who spent 20 years at JP Morgan where she was general counsel, left the bank after its takeover by Chase Manhattan in 2000. After spending nearly three years at legal consultancy group Blaqwell, Robbins will join Citigroup today (28 July) as general counsel of its international group, based in New York.
The unit where Robbins will oversee the legal function was formed only last June and covers all of Citigroup's operations outside the US, including its emerging markets division.
Citigroup, which operates in 100 countries, was among a number of bank hit by losses on loans it made to the moribund Argentinean market.
Robbins will report to, among others, Michael Helfer, overall general counsel at Citigroup, who joined the bank in February this year.
Prior to his move, Helfer was chairman at Wilmer Cutler & Pickering before becoming president of Nationwide Strategic Investments.