VW Replaces Head of its U.S. Legal Dept.

Volkswagen AG has hired David Detweiler, one of its outside legal advisors, to head the legal department of its embattled U.S. unit.

Detweiler, an attorney with the London-based Clifford Chance LLP law firm, began is new assignment on Feb. 1. He replaces David Geanacopoulos, who has been appointed senior executive vice president for public affairs and public policy.

Geanacopoulos will continue as a member of the VW team dealing with the company’s diesel engine emission cheating scandal and efforts to thaw its frosty relations with lawmakers and environmental agencies

VW also plans to open an office in central Washington, D.C., to represent the group. The company has similar offices in several other world capitals.