Media and publishing
10 Disney legal leaders
These ten Disney legal leaders include the chief legal and global affairs officer, general counsel for the studios, experiences and corporate legal groups, deputy general counsel, and chief counsel for streaming, news and the Disneyland Resort. A reader can learn how Disney legal leaders build and run their teams.
Professionals to explore
01—10David Howard
LinkedInExperience: General Counsel, Disney Corporate Legal · The Walt Disney Company
General Counsel, Disney Corporate Legal at The Walt Disney Company since 2024. Former Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (2023–2024) and former Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Litigation, Competition Law and Compliance at Microsoft (2010–2022).
Eric Lieberman
LinkedInExperience: Chief Counsel, Disney Entertainment, Direct to Consumer, News & Technology · The Walt Disney Company
Chief Counsel, Disney Entertainment, Direct to Consumer, News & Technology at The Walt Disney Company since 2017. Former Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Fusion Media Group (2013–2017) and former VP & General Counsel at The Washington Post (2007–2013).
Horacio E. Gutierrez
LinkedInExperience: Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer · The Walt Disney Company
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer at The Walt Disney Company since 2022, with the profile describing oversight of legal, regulatory, compliance, public policy and government relations. Former Head of Global Affairs & Chief Legal Officer at Spotify (2019–2022) and General Counsel at Microsoft (2015–2016).
Jeff Smith
LinkedInExperience: Deputy General Counsel · The Walt Disney Company
Former Deputy General Counsel at The Walt Disney Company (2012–2020), where the profile says he managed legal affairs for the Parks, Experiences and Products segment. Former Sr Vice President-Deputy General Counsel, Corporate and Parks & Resorts (2011) and General Counsel - Walt Disney World (2001–2011) at The Walt Disney Company.
Lori Harris
LinkedInExperience: Chief Counsel · The Walt Disney Company
Chief Counsel at The Walt Disney Company since 2025, tagged in the profile as Legal department, C-Level. Former Disney roles include Deputy Chief Counsel (2018–2025), Assistant Chief Counsel, Legal Affairs, ABC, Inc. (2012–2018) and Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs, ABC, Inc. (2005–2012).
Matt Penarczyk
LinkedInExperience: General Counsel, Disney Experiences · The Walt Disney Company
General Counsel, Disney Experiences at The Walt Disney Company since 2024, where the profile says he oversees legal support for Disney Experiences, including international theme parks and resorts and Disney Cruise Line. Former Global Head of Legal, Business Solutions & Corporate Compliance at TikTok (2023–2024).
Paige Olson (Wright)
LinkedInExperience: General Counsel of Disney Entertainment - Studios at The Walt Disney Company · The Walt Disney Company
General Counsel of Disney Entertainment - Studios at The Walt Disney Company since 2024, where the profile says she serves as head of legal for Walt Disney Studios. Former Chief Counsel - Walt Disney Studios (2022–2024) and Deputy Chief Counsel - Walt Disney Studios (2012–2022) at The Walt Disney Company.
Rosemarie T. Ring
LinkedInExperience: Deputy General Counsel, Litigation and Patents · The Walt Disney Company
Deputy General Counsel, Litigation and Patents at The Walt Disney Company since 2025, tagged in the profile as Legal department, President/Vice President level. Former Partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP at Gibson Dunn (2021–2025), former Partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP (2002–2021), and former Law Clerk at the U.S. Courts of Appeals (2001–2002).
Shawna Swanson
LinkedInExperience: Deputy General Counsel · The Walt Disney Company
Deputy General Counsel at The Walt Disney Company since 2025, tagged in the profile as Legal department, President/Vice President level. Former Associate General Counsel at Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (2006–2025) and former Partner at Fenwick & West LLP (1996–2006).
Stephen Zager
LinkedInExperience: Chief Counsel, Head of Legal, Disneyland Resort and Corporate Real Estate · The Walt Disney Company
Chief Counsel, Head of Legal, Disneyland Resort and Corporate Real Estate at The Walt Disney Company since 2024. Former Vice President, AGC, Head of Corporate Legal at Netflix (2017–2023), Senior Counsel, Finance at Netflix (2014–2017), and Senior Counsel at Loeb & Loeb LLP (2004–2014).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person to the part of the business your question touches: a studios general counsel, a parks and experiences general counsel and a streaming and news chief counsel each see different problems. Litigation and corporate legal leaders are a better fit for questions about disputes, patents and company-wide legal work.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does a media company split legal work between its business segments and a central corporate legal group?
- 02How do in-house lawyers handle content, talent and distribution deals at high volume?
- 03How does an in-house litigation team decide which disputes to run itself and which to send to outside firms?
Reaching Disney legal leaders
How can I contact one of these Disney legal leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: The Walt Disney Company, based on profile data retrieved on October 8, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Disney legal leaders?
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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