From First Counsel of the Year to Founders Award:
Leah Weil’s Incredible Legacy to be Honored by AMEC
at 20th Anniversary Celebration
The Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel (AMEC) proudly announced that Leah Weil, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s long-serving General Counsel, will be honored with the prestigious Founders Award at the 20th anniversary of the Counsel of the Year Awards on January 16, 2025. Leah recently retired, and this recognition marks a significant milestone in Leah’s distinguished career, which spans nearly three decades at Sony.
As the Senior Executive Vice President and Sony Pictures most senior legal advisor, Leah has overseen critical aspects of the company’s operations, including film and TV production, acquisitions, media networks, and digital content distribution. Among her most notable achievements is her leadership in securing key IP rights for the studio, all of the company’s acquisitions and divestitures, and guiding the businesses through the ever-changing and rapidly evolving business, legal, and regulatory landscape.
Leah’s legacy at Sony Pictures also includes guiding the company through the infamous 2014 cyber-attack and overseeing the negotiations of hundreds of collective bargaining agreements, including the recent WGA and SAG-AFTRA deals. A recognized leader in the legal community, she has been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s Powerful Women and Variety’s Power Dealmakers lists multiple times and served on the Motion Pictures Association of America board.
Reflecting on the honor, Leah commented, “I am deeply honored to accept this award on AMEC’s 20th anniversary. This recognition commemorates not just my career but the incredible influence AMEC has had in promoting camaraderie, cooperation, and mentorship among the legal community supporting the entertainment industry.” Bill Simon, AMEC co-founder and former Chair of the Global Entertainment and Media Practice at Korn Ferry International, remarked, “In honoring Leah, we come full circle. It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago, we presented Leah with the inaugural Counsel of the Year Award. Since then, she has reached the pinnacle of her career, and we are honored to recognize her on this special anniversary.”
Click here for more details on the 20th Anniversary Counsel of the Year Awards.