Long-distance bus operator Flix North America has hired James Bristow as general counsel, replacing Tricia Martinez, who is leaving the company.

Bristow joins from US oil and gas business EnLink Midstream, where he was associate GC. At Flix – his first legal chief role – he will oversee the company’s legal department and advise its senior leadership on all legal and compliance matters. He will report directly to CEO Kadir Boysan and officially take up his new position on 1 August.

Flix North America is the North American unit of German mobility company Flix SE. Flix North America owns FlixBus and Greyhound Lines. The company acquired the iconic US national bus service Greyhound in 2021 in a deal worth $78m.

Flix SE is backed by investors including private equity giants General Atlantic, Permira and TCV. At its most recent funding round in 2021, it raised $650m, valuing the company at $3bn.

Boysan said: “We are thrilled to welcome James to the Flix team with his impressive legal background and deep experience as we advance on our strategic priorities. We look forward to him strengthening the capabilities of our legal function and building on our strong culture of integrity and legal and regulatory compliance.”

Bristow spent close to a decade at EnLink Midstream – his first in-house role – initially joining as senior counsel, before later becoming associate GC and director of training and compliance. He previously spent nine years in private practice at Baker Botts in Dallas.

Martinez, meantime, leaves Flix North America and Greyhound after 18 years, having joined the US bus company in 2006 from legacy firm Baldwin Haspel Burke & Mayer. She also previously worked in private practice at Milling Benson Woodward and Phelps Dunbar. Flix said Martinez is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

Boyson added: “I also want to express my gratitude to Tricia for her invaluable contributions to the company and wish her continued success in her next chapter.”

In other mobility-related in-house moves, earlier this month US robocar start-up Glydways hired JoAnn Covington as its first chief legal officer. Covington was previously at defunct electric bus-maker Proterra.