The 22nd Century Group Inc. has a new general counsel. Thomas James took the reigns as vice president, general counsel and secretary on May 12, according to a company release.

A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., James spent the past 13 years as a partner, and later as of counsel, at Foley & Lardner. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.