DALLAS — Eldridge Burns Jr. has been named chief legal officer and general counsel for Drive Financial Services.

Executives said Burns came to Drive after serving as vice president and senior corporate counsel for Blockbuster, where he managed real estate, mergers and acquisitions, in addition to general corporate transactions.

Prior to joining Blockbuster, Burns was an associate at Vinson & Elkins LLP.

Assisting Burns at Drive is Joshua Cox, vice president and associate general counsel, and Tami Simpson, vice president of compliance and governance, executives noted.

Burns' experience in loan origination and refinance, international affairs, along with insurance and risk management will complement Drive's business activities in the auto finance sector — particularly as the company expands its product and service offerings beyond the subprime sector, executives concluded.