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Sony Music Promotes Stephanie Yu to Top Legal Job After Julie Swidler Exit
Sony Music has named longtime in-house lawyer Stephanie Yu as its new general counsel and executive vice president of business and legal affairs, filling the role vacated by Julie Swidler earlier this year. Yu, who has spent more than two decades at the company, will oversee Sony Music's business, legal and governmental affairs, reporting directly to chairman Rob Stringer and chief operating officer Kevin Kelleher. The appointment marks a significant leadership change at one of the music industry's top legal departments during a period of major shifts around AI and licensing.
Yu joined Sony in 2005 after working as a litigator at Covington & Burling, spending six years handling licensing, distribution and M&A deals before moving to Epic Records, where she rose to executive vice president of business and legal affairs. She had most recently served as executive vice president and US lead of business and legal affairs at Sony, overseeing legal strategy across the company's US labels. She succeeds Swidler, who held the top legal post for 18 years and was widely regarded as one of the record industry's most senior women, having announced her departure in May before stepping down in June.
In short
- Stephanie Yu named Sony Music's new general counsel and EVP of legal affairs
- She replaces Julie Swidler, who led the role for 18 years
- Yu has spent over 20 years at Sony, most recently as US legal affairs lead
Explained simply
Sony Music is one of the world’s major record companies, with labels including Epic Records. Its lawyers help negotiate deals with artists and distributors, manage licensing and advise the company on legal and government matters.
Stephanie Yu has worked at Sony Music since 2005, including senior legal roles at Epic and across the company’s US labels. She takes over from Julie Swidler, who held the top legal job for 18 years and left earlier this year.
The general counsel helps guide how the company handles business and legal risks. That work includes licensing music for use by others, an area facing changes as the industry responds to artificial intelligence and new questions about rights.
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