Schwartz named Univision Communications General Counsel.

Univision Communications Inc. announced that Jonathan Schwartz, has been named general counsel of Univision Communications. Schwartz succeeds C. Douglas Kranwinkle, 72, executive vice president and general counsel for 12 years, who announced last year he would be retiring after a distinguished 47-year career in law.
 
Schwartz most recently served as managing director and general counsel for JPMorgan’s Investment Bank.  Previously, he spent six years at Cablevision Systems as executive vice president and general counsel. Prior to that, Schwartz held various roles including senior vice president and deputy general counsel of Time Warner Inc., and as general counsel of online music company Napster.  Early in his career, Schwartz worked as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for five years. He then joined the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where he worked for Attorney General Janet Reno and then Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder.  Schwartz was also a law clerk for Judge Harry T. Edwards on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., and for Justice Thurgood Marshall on the U.S. Supreme Court.  Schwartz received his juris doctorate degree from Stanford Law School in 1986 and graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 with a bachelor’s of science degree in economics.  He was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to attend Cambridge University, where he earned a master’s degree in international relations.
 
Randy Falco, president and CEO of Univision Communications, said: “Doug has been an outstanding counselor and contributor to Univision for more than a decade.  He’s a leader in the industry and I’m fortunate to have benefited from his trusted advice and valued friendship. As a vital member of Univision’s senior leadership team, Doug was instrumental in the Company’s evolution into a leading multi-media company in a competitive, changing environment.  His keen judgment, leadership, industry knowledge and sense of humor made it an absolute privilege to work with him.  I want to thank Doug for his significant contributions and for agreeing to remain a consultant to the board and management.”
 
Falco continued, “While we will certainly miss Doug, I am delighted that our extensive, nationwide search — which included candidates of the highest caliber — resulted in Jonathan joining the Univision family. Having been a member of the senior management teams of industry leaders including Cablevision and Time Warner, Jonathan is recognized as a legal expert within the media space and brings over two decades of relevant experience.  I would like to welcome him to the team and am confident that he will contribute significantly to our continued growth.”
 
Haim Saban, chairman of Univision, commented: “On behalf of the Board, we are extremely grateful to Doug for his twelve years of unwavering dedication and service to Univision. He has provided thoughtful insight and extraordinary leadership during a time of great change at Univision and rapid evolution in the media industry.  He is an outstanding advocate for the company as well as the community we serve.  We wish him the very best in this new chapter.”
 
Saban continued, “We are very fortunate that Jonathan will be joining Univision to lead our legal efforts, and are confident his deep industry knowledge will prove to be a tremendous asset to our Company’s future.”
 
“It’s been a great privilege to work at Univision. I’m proud of what we have accomplished as a team over the last decade, but even prouder of how the Company is positioned for the future,” said Kranwinkle. “Helping build a company that serves as such an important voice for the Hispanic community has been one of the most gratifying aspects of my career, and I’m confident that with the world-class team in place, Univision will emerge as the No. 1 media company in any language in the very near future.  I am looking forward to my retirement, spending more time with my family while continuing to contribute in my consultancy role at the Company and as I embark on this next phase of my life.”
 
“I am honored to be selected as the new general counsel of Univision,” said Schwartz. “There are few companies in this country with a growth story as exciting as Univision’s, and I’m grateful to become a part of such a unique enterprise. I look forward to working with the management team, employees and Board to help drive the Company’s long-term success.”
 
Schwartz will be based in New York and will report to Randy Falco.