Comcast said it has named former Davis Polk & Wardwell chairman and managing partner Thomas Reid senior executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of the media giant. He will join Comcast in April and report to chairman and CEO Brian Roberts. He replaces Arthur Block, who will retire after 30 years at the company.
Reid has served as chairman and managing partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since 2011, beginning his career at the firm in 1987. Reid also served as a managing director in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley from 2000 to 2003 and then rejoined Davis Polk. He will be based at Comcast’s headquarters in Philadelphia.
“I am thrilled Tom is joining our company,” Roberts said in a press release. “Tom has deep and broad global experience that spans all of Comcast’s legal needs. With his unique blend of skills and versatility, Tom is ideally suited to help us navigate the future. We look forward to his sage counsel for the entire organization.”
Roberts also praised Block, who served in Comcast’s legal group for 30 years and was general counsel for two decades.
“Art helped us grow Comcast through some of the largest and most transformational acquisitions,” Roberts said in a press release. “He helped establish and maintain the integrity and ethical culture of our legal team and high standards throughout the company – for this, and much more, we are so grateful.”
Reid has served as Davis Polk’s lead partner with Comcast for nearly four years and has played a critical role in recent significant transactions, including the Sky acquisition completed last year.
“I am honored to be joining Comcast as it continues to lead and transform many industries across the globe,” Reid said in a press release. “Having worked alongside Comcast for many years, I know first-hand what an exciting company it is. I have had the great privilege of working with Art Block as he has grown and created one of the most respected legal groups in the U.S.”
