MUMBAI: The Rupert Murdoch owned media conglomerate News Corporation has announced that Arthur M. Siskind will retire as group general counsel at the end of the year.

Lawrence A. Jacobs will succeed him as the company's top legal adviser. The 65 year old Siskind has been group general counsel since 1991. Jacobs has served as deputy group general counsel since 1996.

Jacobs will become a senior executive VP at News Corp and a member of the office of the chairman. Jacobs will also replace Siskind as general counsel of Fox Entertainment Group. Siskind will however remain on News Corp's board of directors and will continue to serve the company as a senior advisor to the chairman.

Rupert Murdoch who serves as News Corp's chairman and CEO said, "For more than 30 years, Arthur has been one of the true driving forces in the growth and success of this company. Since 1973, when he first helped News Corporation acquire the San Antonio Express and News, there hasn't been a single deal or significant corporate development, that didn't bear Arthur's firm imprint.

"He is a man of unbending principles, a man of integrity, and most importantly, a good and trusted friend. I am lucky to have had him at my side for all these years and I am glad to be able to call on him as an advisor in the future.

"I'm delighted that Arthur's longtime deputy, Lon Jacobs, will become our new Group General Counsel. Lon is a lawyer of exceptional skill and creativity who has already made an outstanding contribution to the growth of News Corp. in his eight years at the company. I feel certain that Lon will leave a significant mark on News Corp in the years ahead as he leads our team of highly regarded lawyers."