Julie Swidler to Depart as Sony Music General Counsel After 18 Years

Sony Music General Counsel Julie Swidler to leave company after 18 years

May 27, 2026 By Murray Stassen

Julie Swidler , Executive Vice President, Business Affairs and General Counsel at  Sony Music , will leave the company at the end of June.

Swidler  has held the role since  2008 , overseeing Business, Legal, and Governmental Affairs globally across  Sony Music ‘s record labels and operating units.

She plans to launch an advisory services practice focused on creative ventures following her departure.

In making the announcement on Wednesday (May 27),  Rob Stringer , Chairman of  Sony Music Group , said: “Julie has been a vital component of the Sony Music senior management team for many years and her wisdom, experience and knowledge has been a bedrock of our company’s strategy and growth.

“She leaves us with our deepest respect and gratitude.

“As a friend and colleague, on a personal note, as Julie and I have planned together her departure for a while now, she will be missed at Sony Music but I know that her next working chapter will be equally stimulating and rewarding.”

> “As a friend and colleague, on a personal note, as Julie and I have planned together her departure for a while now, she will be missed at Sony Music but I know that her next working chapter will be equally stimulating and rewarding.” Rob Stringer

Swidler  commented: “Every great adventure eventually makes room for a new one, and this feels like the right moment for mine.

“There are few companies in the world like Sony Music that carry this much history and remain this relevant. Being part of that legacy has been a privilege.”

> “There are few companies in the world like Sony Music that carry this much history and remain this relevant. Being part of that legacy has been a privilege.” Julie Swidler

“That journey would not have been the same without Rob Stringer’s leadership, friendship and trust, and I’m grateful for all of it.

“I’m just as proud of our global Business and Legal Affairs practice and the extraordinary people in it who are truly second to none. We have always been guided by what is fair and right for artists, and that compass never failed us.”

During her  18 -year tenure,  Swidler  advised on strategic negotiations, talent agreements, litigation, corporate transactions, and joint venture operations.

In  2015 , she worked closely with  Sony Music Nashville  and its roster to support the division through a leadership transition.

In  2018 , she served on the  Recording Academy ‘s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion – a  16 -member panel that issued a report containing sweeping recommendations for the organization and the music industry.

Swidler  was one of six senior female executives from  Universal ,  Sony ,  Warner , and  Roc Nation  who  co-signed a letter to the Recording Academy  earlier that year calling for changes to the organization’s make-up.

Prior to joining  Sony Music ,  Swidler  held senior legal and business affairs roles at  Arista Records ,  J Records ,  RCA Records , and  BMG .

She served as lead counsel for the  1994  Woodstock Festival and was one of five executives whom  Clive Davis  brought with him to  J Records  – the label he launched following his departure from  Arista  in  2000 .

At  J Records , she contributed to the release of  Alicia Keys ‘ multi-platinum,  Grammy Award -winning debut album,  Songs in A Minor .

Swidler  began her music industry career at  PolyGram Records  and  Mercury Records , where she spent more than a decade.

Earlier this year,  Swidler  was named a  Music Visionary of the Year  by  UJA-Federation of New York , alongside  Jeff Harleston  of  Universal Music Group  and  Paul Robinson  of  Warner Music Group .

She has been a recurring presence on  Billboard ‘s  Power 100  list and has appeared on the publication’s  Women in Music  list for close to two decades.

Her honors include the  Grammy Foundation ‘s Entertainment Law Initiative Service Award – where she became, according to the announcement, the first woman and the first record label executive to receive the distinction – the  T.J. Martell Foundation ‘s Lifetime Music Industry Award, and the  Music Business Association ‘s Presidential Honor.

In  2023 ,  Swidler  was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees at  Union College , her alma mater.

She has also held leadership roles with the  Recording Industry Association of America  and the  T.J. Martell Foundation . Music Business Worldwide

_Originally reported by [Music Business Worldwide](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/julie-swidler-to-leave-sony-music-after-18-years-as-evp-business-affairs-and-general-counsel/)._