Hitachi Rail Europe’s first GC

Hitachi Rail Europe has hired WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff’s legal director Jane Mee as its first general counsel, reported The Lawyer.

In her new role, Mee will work with managing director Karen Boswell on all aspects of the rail business’ legal issues, as well as become a member of the company’s executive team.

Hitachi Rail Europe kicked off its search for its first general counsel in August, less than a year after revealing that Addleshaw Goddard, Ashurst, DLA Piper, Eversheds, Shoosmiths and Stephenson Harwood had all won places on its first external legal panel.

Mee has been WSP’s legal director in the UK for the past two years, in which time WSP announced its acquisition of Parsons Brinkerhoff, the professional services division of Balfour Beatty.

Prior to joining WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Mee was contracts and legal affairs director at Bombardier Transportation UK, leading domestic and international projects such as Crossrail.

She also took on a number of legal roles in London Underground, before becoming its director of legal. She left in 2011 after 17 years at the company.