Fox Corp. Promotes Nicholas Trutanich to General Counsel

The company announced a leadership transition as Adam Ciongoli prepares to step down from his role on December 1.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of modern office architecture, symbolizing the corporate legal and structural transition within a major firm. — Fox Corp. has appointed Nicholas Trutanich as general counsel, succeeding Adam Ciongoli in a leadership transition announced by the company. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Fox Corp. has named Nicholas Trutanich as its new general counsel, effective following the departure of Adam Ciongoli. Trutanich currently serves as the firm's executive vice president and principal deputy general counsel.

Why it matters

The transition marks a significant shift in Fox Corp.'s leadership team as the company reshuffles its legal and policy oversight. Ciongoli will remain with the organization as a special advisor through mid-2028.

Adam Ciongoli will serve as a special advisor to the firm until June 2028, following his decision not to renew his employment contract. The company previously managed a $787.5 million settlement payment for the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit.

The players

Nicholas Trutanich

He is the newly appointed general counsel at Fox Corp. who previously served as a U.S. Attorney.

Adam Ciongoli

He is the outgoing chief legal and policy officer who will continue as a special advisor.

Lachlan Murdoch

He is the CEO of Fox Corp. to whom the new general counsel will directly report.

John Nallen

He is the President and COO of Fox Corp. overseeing executive reporting lines.

Viet Dinh

He previously held the position of chief counsel at Fox Corp. starting in 2018.

The details

Nicholas Trutanich, who joined Fox in 2021 as chief ethics and compliance officer, will report directly to CEO Lachlan Murdoch in his new role. The transition coincides with the departure of Adam Ciongoli, who has served as the chief legal and policy officer since 2023.

2018: Viet Dinh joined Fox as chief counsel.
2019-2021: Nicholas Trutanich served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada.
2021: Nicholas Trutanich joined Fox as chief ethics officer.
2023: Adam Ciongoli joined Fox as chief legal officer.
December 1, 2026: Adam Ciongoli steps down from his legal role.

Market Landscape

The appointment of a new general counsel marks a leadership transition following the legal and financial pressures exemplified by the $787.5 million settlement payment for Dominion Voting Systems. This change reflects the broader evolution of the corporate legal team under CEO Lachlan Murdoch.

This leadership transition is an internal corporate restructuring that does not immediately change Fox Corp.'s service or pricing for subscribers. Viewers can expect a change in the executive voices representing the company's legal and policy interests.

The takeaway

Leadership changes at the executive level often signal shifts in how a corporation manages its long-term policy and legal strategies. Investors and stakeholders should monitor the new general counsel's priorities as he assumes his expanded duties.