The New York Times Company announced today that Diane Brayton will succeed Kenneth Richieri as its general counsel, effective January 1, 2017. Mr. Richieri, who has served as general counsel of The New York Times Company since 2006, will retire on December 31, 2016.
Ms. Brayton joined the Times Company in 2004 and most recently served as deputy general counsel since May 2016 and corporate secretary since 2011. In those roles, Ms. Brayton provided critical support to the Company’s senior management and Board of Directors on a variety of legal and policy issues, including corporate transactions, securities law matters, corporate governance and compensation. She will report to President and CEO Mark Thompson.
In making the announcement, Mr. Thompson said, “Diane’s keen understanding of the legal environment in which The New York Times operates and her broad range of legal and corporate governance expertise make her ideally suited to lead our legal department. She is known across the company not just for her reasoned approach to addressing legal matters but also for her passion for our business and her deeply collaborative spirit. I’m looking forward to continuing what is an already strong partnership. ”
Reflecting on Mr. Richieri’s retirement, Mr. Thompson said, “Ken has been a trusted advisor who helped guide The Times as it underwent a remarkable evolution from a national print newspaper to a truly international digital media outlet during his three decades of service. His broad legal experience, commercial instincts and expertise in digital publishing and intellectual property rights were invaluable to that transformation. He has also provided strong leadership, helping to develop the next generation of legal executives.”
Arthur Sulzberger Jr., the chairman of the Company and publisher of The New York Times, added, “Ken has been a tireless defender of our journalism and legal champion of this company for 33 years and his contributions over that time are too many to count. The Times and our industry more broadly have benefited from his advocacy on behalf of the First Amendment and I’m confident he will continue to be a leading voice in this arena. On a personal level, he’s provided support, advice and counsel that has helped me be a better publisher. I’m enormously grateful and while I will miss him very much, I wish him the very best as he begins his next chapter, post-retirement.”
Prior to joining the Times Company, Ms. Brayton was vice president and counsel in the legal department of Credit Suisse First Boston from 2002 to 2004 and an associate at the law firm of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in New York, Moscow and London from 1997 to 2002. Ms. Brayton received a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Nebraska in 1991 and a J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1996.
Kenneth A. Richieri became general counsel of The New York Times Company in January 2006. Mr. Richieri was named senior vice president in December 2007 and executive vice president in March 2013. Mr. Richieri served as deputy general counsel from 2001 until 2005, and was promoted to vice president in December 2002. Previously he served as assistant general counsel since 1993 and senior counsel since 1989. He joined The New York Times Company in January 1983 as legal counsel. Mr. Richieri received an A.B. degree in political science from Brown University in 1973 and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School in 1976.
About The New York Times Company
The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT) is a global media organization dedicated to enhancing society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news and information. The company includes The New York Times, NYTimes.com and related properties. It is known globally for excellence in its journalism, and innovation in its print and digital storytelling and its business model. Follow news about the company at @NYTimesComm.
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Contacts:
danielle.rhoades-ha@nytimes.com
