HCP Inc. on Tuesday said that it appointed Timothy Schoen, who currently oversees the real estate investment trust’s life science properties, as chief financial officer. The REIT also announced that its general counsel had resigned.

Schoen, who was executive vice president for life science estates, joined the Long Beach company in 2006 after nine years at Los Angeles office REIT Kilroy Realty Corp., where he was responsible for capital markets and financial planning and analysis. At HCP, the nation’s largest health care REIT by market capitalization, he has led the life science group since 2008.

Schoen replaces Thomas Herzog, who announced his resignation in March and stepped down on May 15. Jonathan M. Bergschneider, senior vice president in the life science unit, has been promoted to Schoen’s position. Bergschneider joined HCP in 2007 as a vice president when the REIT acquired Slough Estates USA., a life sciences real estate company.

“Tim has a thorough understanding of HCP’s real estate operations and our strategic objectives,” Chief Executive Jay Flaherty said in a statement. “Furthermore, we believe the internal promotions of Tim and Jon highlight our ‘deep bench’ and serve as examples of the growth opportunities available to our talented professionals.”

The company also announced that its general counsel and corporate secretary, J. Alberto Gonzalez-Pita, has resigned effective June 30, but will provide consulting services until Dec. 31 to assist in the transition. James Mercer, most recently of the law firm Bryan Cave, has been named to replace him. Previously, as a member of the senior management team at WebMD and its predecessor companies, Mercer renegotiated contracts involving 50 major strategic and contractual relationships with key partner companies, HCP said.

Shares earlier closed up 92 cents, or 2 percent, to $37.97 on the New York Stock Exchange.