The former general counsel of investment giant Janus Capital Group is one of two high-profile additions to Morrison & Foerster’s Denver office.

The Denver office of the firm will add Kelley A. Howes, the former Janus attorney, and Brian Neil Hoffman, a former senior enforcement attorney in the Chicago office of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

As Janus’s top legal adviser from 2007 to 2011, Howes was responsible for the company’s global legal, regulatory, corporate governance, internal audit, and insurance matters.

“As outside counselors we strive to own our clients’ most important problems and partner in their solutions,” said Jay G. Baris, chair of the firm’s investment management practice. “Kelley brings an inside perspective unmatched by most other lawyers in this field. She has truly seen it all.”

She earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, her law degree from Suffolk University School of Law, and her bachelor’s from St. Lawrence University.

Hoffman is rejoining the firm after a short stint with the SEC where he investigated and litigated potential insider trading, corporate reporting and controls violations, and other securities fraud claims. He was previously with Morrison & Foerster from 2001 to 2010.

“Brian’s knowledge of SEC enforcement proceedings and his familiarity with the firm’s lawyers and clients make him an immediate asset,” said Randall J. Fons, Denver managing partner and co-chair of the firm’s securities litigation, enforcement, and white-collar defense group. “We’re thrilled to welcome him back.”

Hoffman earned his law degree from New York University School of Law and his bachelor’s from Washington University in St. Louis. He also completed a year of coursework in international relations, political science, economics, and foreign policy with the London School of Economics and Political Science.