Fulbrights takes on high-flier

US Firm Fulbright & Jaworski has added a high-profile partner to its office in New York.

Lionel Hest joins the firm from Wall Street securities broker Gruntal & Co, where he was executive vice president and general counsel. Hest was also the corporate ombudsman and head of the Management Audit Committee. At Fulbrights, he will be responsible for the legal and regulatory needs of securities broker-dealers and financial institutions.

Hest estimated that Gruntal, which is based in New York, ranked among the top 15 securities brokers in the US in terms of sales. He said he approached the firm because it gives him the opportunity to work in the same area, but with more diverse clients.