Sidley Austin, the international law firm that caters to the financial services industry, has added six members to its now 49-member executive committee and three to its management group.

Joining the Chicago executive committee are Brian Fahrney and Craig Griffith. Fahrney has been a partner since 2000 with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. Griffith has been a partner since 1998 and represents commercial and investment banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions in securitization and structured finance transactions.

Jennifer Hagle joins the Los Angeles executive team. Hagle has been a partner since 1995 and is co-head of the Los Angeles corporate transactions group, focusing on areas of bankruptcy, corporate reorganization and corporate finance. 

Matthew Sheridan steps in for both Singapore and Hong Kong. Sheridan joined the company in 2000 and is co-head of the international corporate finance practice in Asia. He is also the China chair of the practice development committee and a member of the professional risk management committee.

Susan Stone enters both the Chicago and New York teams. Stone is co-head of the firm's insurance and financial services group, a global coordinator of the insurance and reinsurance disputes practice and a partner since 1995. She is also the co-chair of Sidley's marketing and practice development committee.

Effie Vasilopoulos steps in for Hong Kong. Vasilopoulos joined the company in 2003 and is head of the investment funds practice in Asia. She is also the vice chair of the legal opinions and audit letters committee.

The management committee has also been expanded, bringing the current count to 11 members. 

Larry Barden and Larry Nyhan are now part of the Chicago management committee. Barden has been a partner since 1989 and is co-chair of the accounting and finance committee, while Nyhan has been with Sidley since 1988 and a member of the executive committee since 1999. He co-chairs the corporate reorganization and bankruptcy group. 

Mark Hopson joins the Washington DC management committee. Hopson has been a partner since 1992 and a member of the executive committee since 2005. He is the Washington DC chair and national co-chair of the government and international investigation practice. 

Sidley Austin has more than 1,600 lawyers in 17 US and international cities.