SiriusXM recruits former Airbnb chief legal officer

SiriusXM Holdings has announced the hiring of Richard Baer as their new executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary, effective March 3. Baer steps into this role following the retirement of Patrick Donnelly.

Before joining SiriusXM, Baer held the position of chief legal officer (CLO) at Airbnb, overseeing the legal, community policy, and ethics and compliance functions of the company. His experience also includes CLO positions at Liberty Media, UnitedHealth Group, and Qwest Communications. The transition plan for Donnelly involves him staying on as a full-time employee until April 4, 2025, after which he will advise his successor until the end of the year.

Donnelly, who has been with SiriusXM since May 1998, has had a long-standing career with the company. Notably, he also served as a member of the committee of unsecured creditors during the Hertz bankruptcy proceeding while working with SiriusXM. Before his time at SiriusXM, Donnelly worked as deputy general counsel at ITT Corporation and as an associate at law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

CEO of SiriusXM, Jennifer Witz, expressed her excitement about welcoming Baer to the team, highlighting his over two decades of experience and leadership in complex businesses. She believes Baer’s expertise in navigating legal issues and balancing business needs will be invaluable in shaping the future of SiriusXM. Witz also thanked Donnelly for his dedication and commitment to the company over nearly 27 years, acknowledging his significant impact on SiriusXM.

In a statement, Witz emphasized the importance of Donnelly’s contributions to SiriusXM and wished him well in his retirement. She looks forward to working closely with Baer and leveraging his insights to execute strategic plans and drive the company forward. Baer’s appointment is a strategic move by SiriusXM to leverage his wealth of experience and ensure continued success for the company.

The addition of Baer to the leadership team at SiriusXM marks an important transition for the company. With his background in handling legal matters for major corporations, Baer is poised to bring a fresh perspective and strategic guidance to SiriusXM. As the industry continues to evolve, having a seasoned professional like Baer on board will be instrumental in navigating legal complexities and driving growth for SiriusXM in the future.