The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has announced that Chief Legal Officer Ken Doroshow will retire at the end of March, bringing to a close a legal career spanning public service, private practice, and a decade at the organization.
The RIAA said that Jacob Tracer, currently Senior Vice President of Litigation & Legal Affairs, will step into the role on an acting basis.
Doroshow has overseen the RIAA’s legal strategy during a period of significant change for the recorded music business, including the growth of streaming, evolving copyright enforcement challenges, and increased scrutiny of digital platforms.
His responsibilities included litigation, content protection, regulatory affairs, and technology-related legal issues.
Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of the RIAA, said: “Ken’s career advocating for the rights of creators has left an indelible mark on the laws protecting music. RIAA is so fortunate to have benefitted from Ken’s unique talent, resilience, and good humor.
“While we will miss him greatly, we celebrate all his accomplishments as he enters his well-deserved retirement and congratulate him on his many contributions to the music industry.”
Prior to joining the RIAA, Doroshow was a partner at Jenner & Block, where he represented media and entertainment clients with a focus on intellectual property and First Amendment matters. His earlier career included roles at the US Department of Justice, including positions in the Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and the Civil Division, as well as serving as General Counsel to the Entertainment Software Association.
“Ken’s career advocating for the rights of creators has left an indelible mark on the laws protecting music.”
Mitch Glazier, RIAA
Doroshow has been recognized by industry publications including Billboard, Chambers USA, Legal500, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
The leadership transition comes as the RIAA continues to play a central role in shaping copyright policy and enforcement in the US and globally, particularly as new technologies and platforms test existing legal frameworks.
Recent data published by the RIAA showed that the US recorded music industry generated USD $11.535 billion in wholesale revenue in 2025, up 3.1% year-on-year, reflecting continued, albeit moderating, growth in the market.
The organization has also remained active in anti-piracy efforts. In an MBW Explains analysis last year, a series that digs behind the headlines using data and context, we examined the RIAA’s submission to the Office of the US Trade Representative’s “notorious markets” list, which highlighted Discord and Telegram as key hubs for pre-release music piracy, alongside other emerging trends such as bootleg vinyl production in markets including Russia and China.Music Business Worldwide
