Authentic Brands Group has hired Clément Smadja as chief legal officer, succeeding Jay Dubiner in the role.
Smadja joins from Fox Corporation, where he worked on M&A and corporate governance matters. At Authentic Brands, he will lead its legal function and report to CEO and president Matt Maddox.
New York-based Authentic Brands owns more than 50 iconic clothing and sports brands including Reebok, Champion, David Beckham, Guess, Nautica, Quicksilver, Billabong and Ted Baker.
Maddox said: “We’re expanding how our brands and intellectual property reach people through media, live experiences and strategic partnerships around the world. Clem has an exceptional track record of advising on complex transactions. His sound judgement and deep legal expertise will be valuable as we continue building a global platform at the intersection of entertainment, sport and culture.”
Smadja spent just under eight years at Fox, having previously been a partner at Kirkland & Ellis in New York. He also had earlier spells as an associate at Bredin Prat and Cravath Swaine & Moore.
He said: “I was drawn to Authentic’s entrepreneurial culture and to a leadership team that approaches the business with ambition, creativity and discipline. I’m excited to step into the role of chief legal officer and leverage my background to help Matt, Jamie [Salter, founder and executive chairman] and the entire team shape Authentic’s continued growth.”
Dubiner, who has been CLO since 2015, will remain on as executive vice chairman, working with Salter and Maddox on major transactions and strategic matters.
He said: “Working alongside the incredible leadership at Authentic to grow the business and build the global legal team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and look forward to continuing the work that will define Authentic’s next era.”
Smadja’s departure from Fox follows its announcement this week that chief legal and policy officer Adam Ciongoli is stepping down from the role after three years, with deputy general counsel Nicholas Trutanich lined up to replace him as GC.
In other clothing brand-related moves, last month Jimmy Choo-owner Capri Holdings hired Catherine So as chief legal and sustainability officer from Tiffany & Co, replacing Krista McDonough, who left to join beauty business Wella in June.
And in July, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brand-owner PVH lined up Elisheva Hirshman as its next CLO, succeeding Mark Fischer who is stepping down from the role this year ahead of his official retirement in 2027.
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