The Walt Disney Company is preparing to restructure its Legal and Global Affairs department, with workforce reductions reportedly expected as the company looks to streamline operations and modernise internal processes.
The planned changes are part of Disney’s broader effort to improve efficiency across its corporate functions. The restructuring is expected to result in a smaller legal division, while the company increases its use of automation, self-service systems and external legal service providers.
Disney Legal Department Faces Potential Workforce Cuts
According to a report Disney Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer Horacio Gutierrez informed employees about the upcoming organisational changes through an internal memo. The communication reportedly indicated that layoffs could begin as early as the following week.
Gutierrez said the department would become a considerably smaller organisation as Disney makes decisions about staffing and resource allocation. The changes are expected to affect how various administrative and legal tasks are handled within the company.
Automation and Outsourcing at the Centre of Restructuring
As part of the restructuring, Disney plans to use advanced technology to automate certain administrative and legal workflows. The company is also looking to expand self-service models, alternative legal service providers and shared services or outsourcing.
These measures are intended to simplify support operations and improve the way resources are allocated. According to the internal communication, the strategy is also designed to allow the company to direct more capital toward core creative content and foundational infrastructure.
Disney Expands Technology-Focused Leadership
The restructuring comes alongside broader changes in Disney’s corporate leadership. The company recently appointed Karandeep Anand as its first company-wide chief technology officer.
The leadership move coincides with Disney’s wider focus on digital technology and automation, including the use of tools designed to reduce repetitive work across corporate functions.
While Disney continues to assess staffing requirements across different parts of its business, employees in the Legal and Global Affairs division are preparing for the changes and possible workforce reductions. The planned legal department restructuring is separate from other corporate restructuring measures introduced earlier in the fiscal year.