Peter Wiley, who departed as one of The Walt Disney Co’s top lawyers in October after a 27-year run with the entertainment giant, is joining U.K.-based Directors UK as general counsel as the association gears up for negotiations with major U.S. media companies over royalties.

Wiley will work alongside Andy Harrower, who leads London-based Directors UK, which negotiates and manages royalties on behalf of 8,000 members who work as directors in audio-visual industries.