Lobbying world

• Venable has hired John Farenish to join its government contracts practice. Farenish recently worked for the Defense Department’s Defense Contract Audit Agency as general counsel. Before that, he worked for the departments of the Navy and Army in “prosecutorial, legal counsel and ethics review” positions.

{mosads}• James Bieke has come to Sidley Austin, where he is a partner of the environmental practice in Washington. Bieke leaves Goodwin Procter, where he was a partner. Before that, he advised clients on several issues regarding the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.

• John Giesser has joined Dewey Square Group to be the chief operating officer for the public-affairs company. Giesser, who previously worked for the firm, leaves the Spoken Hub. Before that, he worked for Sen. John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) Keeping America’s Promise political action committee. He also previously worked as the chief operating officer of City Year.

• SNR Denton has promoted Mike McNamara to be the U.S. managing partner. McNamara has worked for the firm for almost 10 years, lately working for the business and regulation department. He is the chairman of the U.S. public policy and regulation practice. McNamara also has experience working for the Commerce Department as an economist.

• Jonathan Renfrew is the new vice president of federal affairs for the Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America. Renfrew leaves Brown Rudnick, where he was director of government law and strategy. Before that, Renfrew worked on Capitol Hill for more than a decade, most recently as chief of staff for Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.).