Light & Wonder’s Executive Vice President James Sottile to Retire

James Sottile, Light & Wonder’s Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary, will retire by the end of 2025. Susan Dawson, current Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, will take his place.

James Sottile to Retire from Light & Wonder

On June 16, 2025, Sottile notified the company of his decision to retire. To ensure a smooth transition, he has agreed to provide consulting services from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. During this time, Light & Wonder will compensate him with a monthly fee of $11,959, equivalent to 20% of his fiscal year 2025 base salary.

Sottile has over 30 years of experience spanning multiple industries. He is a skilled legal strategist and a thoughtful, seasoned leader, known for his dislike of legal jargon and his passion for poetry. Most recently, Sottile was a partner at Jones Day in the firm’s New York office. A highly regarded attorney, he was recognized as a notable practitioner by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers from 2005 to 2018, and was listed in The Best Lawyers in America from 2011 to 2018.

Who Is Susan Dawson?

Dawson joined Light & Wonder in 2012 and is currently based in the United Kingdom. Since 2018, she has held the position of senior vice president and deputy general counsel. According to Light & Wonder, she will relocate to Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States as part of her new role.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Dawson’s approach to leadership cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration with the business, reinforcing the reputation as more than just legal advisors, but as enablers of success. Their expertise in strategic negotiations, regulation, and leadership has been key to navigating the complex legal and regulatory landscape, securing the organization’s position as a trusted and forward-thinking pillar.

The move in upper management comes not long after Light & Wonder announced continued growth for the 16^th financial quarter in a row. Light & Wonder also recently set a target to achieve annual consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $2.0 billion by 2028. This goal represents a 42.9% increase over the projected adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 billion in 2025. In 2024, the company reported revenue of $3.19 billion, up from $2.90 billion in 2023, while net income more than doubled to $336 million. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for 2024 reached $1.24 billion.