American Express has appointed Laureen Seeger as general counsel, succeeding Louise Parent, who retired last year after a 37-year career with American Express. Tim Heine, who has been serving as acting general counsel, will resume his prior responsibilities as managing counsel and continue to be involved in key company-wide initiatives.

In her new role, Seeger will lead the company's legal, compliance and ethics, and corporate secretary functions. She also will take on additional responsibility for federal and state government affairs later this year. 

Seeger joins American Express from healthcare services company McKesson, where she led the law, public affairs, compliance, and corporate secretary functions. Seeger has served as general counsel and chief compliance officer of McKesson since 2006. Before joining McKesson, Seeger was with the law firm Morris, Manning & Martin, where she served as commercial litigation partner and chaired the technology litigation group.