Canadian kids and family entertainment group WildBrain has hired Mark Trachuk as general counsel, replacing James Bishop who left the company this month.

Trachuk joins from Norton Rose Fulbright, where he was a counsel in its Toronto office. He brings with him more than 35 years of experience across private practice and in-house roles, with particular expertise in the media and entertainment industry. At WildBrain, he will oversee all corporate and securities-related legal matters and serve as corporate secretary to the board.

Toronto-based WildBrain has stakes in kids TV IP including Charlie Brown and Snoopy show Peanuts, Teletubbies, In The Night Garden, Inspector Gadget and Chip and Potato.

Josh Scherba, Wildbrain’s CEO and president, said: “Mark’s reputation as a highly accomplished legal and governance professional precedes him. His depth and range of experience in the entertainment industry and capital markets has given him a skillset across business, strategic and regulatory matters that makes him uniquely suited for our company.”

Trachuk spent just under a year and a half at Norton Rose Fulbright, having previously spent two years as GC at Canadian media giant Entertainment One. Prior to that he spent close to 30 years at Osler Hoskin & Harcourt, where he held a number of roles including as managing partner of its London office and resident partner of its Singapore office.

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining the WildBrain team at such an exciting time in their evolution. Their outstanding portfolio of world-class IP, including Peanuts, Teletubbies and Strawberry Shortcake, and unique capabilities across content creation, audience engagement and global licensing positions WildBrain as a global leader in family entertainment.”

Bishop, meantime, departs for the GC role at High Liner Foods. He spent just under four and a half years at WildBrain, having previously been an associate GC at DHX Media and an associate at Canadian firm Blake Cassels & Graydon.

Scherba added: “As trusted counsel, James played an integral role in navigating some of our most transformative moments, always bringing a highly strategic, professional and gracious approach to the role. On behalf of the management team, I wish James every success for the future.”

Earlier this month, Canadian production house Thunderbird Entertainment promoted Lori Massini to GC. Trachuk also previously spent a year as lead director at Thunderbird, where he chaired its strategic advisory committee.