Principal Financial Group announced that Natalie Lamarque will join the company as its new general counsel, effective Aug. 1. Lamarque will have oversight over the law department, including government relations and compliance. She will also serve as corporate secretary to the Principal board of directors. Lamarque assumes the role following general counsel Mark Lagomarcino, who will retire after 20 years with Principal. Lamarque was previously senior vice president and general counsel for New York Life, leading the general counsel office as well as the firm’s insurance and agency, investments, corporate practice and tax teams. She also previously served as an assistant United States attorney in the Southern District of New York and in the litigation department of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. “With Natalie’s extensive expertise managing complex legal matters, she is well positioned to help identify and meet the goals of our business,” said Dan Houston, chairman, president and CEO of Principal. Lamarque received her law degree from Duke University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University. She has served in leadership positions on several nonprofit boards and holds Series 7 and 24 securities licenses. Lamarque plans to relocate to Des Moines and will be based in the company’s global headquarters.