Sony Pictures Entertainment Names Disney’s Jill Ratner General Counsel

Disney deputy general counsel Jill Ratner has exited the Mouse House to join Sony Pictures Entertainment as executive vice president and general counsel.

Beginning in her new role May 28, Ratner will be overseeing all SPE’s legal functions, compliance and labor relations, SPE music affairs, government/external affairs and corporate social responsibility teams. She will report directly to CEO Tony Vinciquerra.

The new hire is a backfilling of the chief legal role on the heels of Leah Weil exiting the post of general counsel after almost three decades with the company back in January.

Ratner has served as deputy general counsel at the Walt Disney Company since 2019 where she leads a global legal team of over 200 members. She currently has global responsibility for Disney’s litigation, IP, digital antipiracy functions, and the company’s social responsibility operations.

Prior to joining Disney, Ratner was at 21st Century Fox from 2004 to 2019 as deputy general counsel. She was previously domestic counsel at the Motion Picture Association, and a litigation associate at Hogan Lovells LLP and at Hill Wynne Troop & Meisinger.

“Jill has a well-earned reputation as a trusted, results-driven advisor and legal strategist, and we are thrilled to have her join SPE as general counsel,” Vinciquerra said. “Having successfully led large legal teams at two of Hollywood’s biggest studio businesses during times of extraordinary change and transition, Jill is extremely well-suited for this role. We look forward to having her wise counsel and advice to help us meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry landscape and to capitalize on opportunities for growth.”

Ratner added: “Sony Pictures has shown remarkable strength and resiliency at a time of tremendous change in our industry. I look forward to joining this exceptional leadership team and working alongside the outstanding groups Leah Weil has built at SPE. I want to thank Tony for this incredible opportunity.”