Agencies
Jeffrey Freedman
General counsel
CAA
UCLA, 1993
In addition to his other tasks, Freedman is a key dealmaker at CAA Sports. He closed the unit’s recent acquisitions of event management and marketing outfit Inside Sports & Entertainment Group and of Munich-based event agency PMG. The latter significantly extends CAA’s international reach.
In his words: “I am most proud of the work we do to strategically grow CAA by creating new businesses that expand opportunities for our clients.”
Agencies
Catherine Sugar
Head of television business affairs
WME
Georgetown, 1998
Sugar deals with such clients as Martin Scorsese, Amblin Television, Larry David, Dick Clark Prods. and David E. Kelley. Last year she paired Jamie Tarses with Sony and Kevin Costner with Lionsgate, and closed Mark Burnett’s “Space Race” deal with Virgin Galactic at NBC and Keshet’s “Dig” deal at USA.
In her words: “I always enjoy working on deals outside the traditional model, such as the license agreement we made for independent financier Bold Films with ABC for ‘Black Box.’”
Agencies
Craig Wagner
Executive VP, business affairs
Paradigm
NYU, 1989
Wagner oversees all of the agency’s business and legal affairs and is point on every deal, including the recent 50% acquisition of U.K.-based Coda Music Agency and merger with hot EDM agency AM Only. His international format deals include NBC pilot “Mysteries of Laura” (Spain), Syfy’s “Opposite Worlds” (Chile) and NBC’s “Who’s Still Standing” (Israel).
In his words: “We closed a significant joint venture with Coda, which provides Paradigm with a worldwide platform to service our expanding music roster.”
Agencies
Tybalt Whitney
Head of business affairs, television
ICM Partners
USC, 1999
Whitney negotiated deals for such hot TV shows as AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” ABC’s “Scandal,” NBC’s “The Blacklist,” BET’s “The Game,” as well as those premiering this fall, including “Breaking Bad” spin-off series “Better Call Saul” for AMC and CBS’ “Battle Creek,” directed by Bryan Singer, starring Josh Duhamel.
In his words: “My greatest accomplishment in the past year is working on what I feel is the most dynamic art medium in the world today: television.”
Agencies
David Wienir
Business affairs executive, film and TV
UTA
UC Berkeley, 2000
With Jim Meenaghan, head of business affairs/motion pictures, and UTA partner Rich Klubeck, Wienir negotiated the sale of Electronic Arts’ “Need for Speed” to DreamWorks, sold director David Michod’s “The Rover” to A24 Films, negotiated Bryan Cranston’s Broadway debut deal for “All the Way,” and cut deals for Jerry Seinfeld and Paula Malcomson.
In his words: “A key accomplishment is providing clients the same intensity, focus and caring as found at law firms.”
Inhouse Counsel
Shelly Bunge
Executive VP, music business and legal affairs
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Columbia, 1988
Sharon Borak
Senior VP, corporate legal, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Berkeley, 1989
Bunge heads a department of 31, overseeing legal and business affairs for all music-related aspects of inhouse productions, acquisitions and distributed products for SPE entities worldwide. She’s handled music matters for hundreds of film and TV shows and soundtrack albums, including “Breaking Bad,” “The Blacklist” and “The Amazing Spider-Man.” Bunge also helped SPE launch the Madison Gate Records label.
In her words: “With a stellar team, we brought significant value to SPE by selling a music asset developed over 20 years of my career. We’re looking forward to the opportunities of the future.”
Borak specializes in mergers and acquisitions and has overseen such transactions as the sale of Telemundo to NBC. While she and Bunge usually handle different projects, they collaborated on the sale of Sony’s music catalog.
In her words: “I was proud to work with Shelly and the team on this project. It represented a great opportunity for SPE and it was gratifying to be to able to bring it home.”
Inhouse Counsel
David Decker
Exec VP, business & legal affairs
Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution
Loyola (Los Angeles), 1993
A nine-year veteran of Warner Bros., the recently promoted Decker was key in precedent-setting deals with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Me TV and Bounce TV. He’s led the way in adjusting windows, rights and business models to maximize distribution opportunities. He reports to Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution prexy Jeffrey Schlesinger and to John Rogovin, exec VP and general counsel, Warner Bros. Entertainment.
In his words: “Our goal in organizing the international and domestic legal distribution teams was to share opinions and perspectives that result in effective collaboration, shared strategies and greater opportunities. “We are already seeing the benefits of this combined approach when dealing with our global clients.”
Inhouse Counsel
James Lichtman
Exec VP, General Counsel
NBCU Television & Entertainment
Stanford, 1990
Managing the latenight transitions from Jay Leno to Jimmy Fallon for “The Tonight Show” and from Fallon to Seth Meyers for “Late Night” were just two of the high-profile accomplishments of Lichtman and his team of 65 attorneys. Lichtman oversees thousands of deals on pilots and original productions, many involving complex legal issues, as was the case with “The Sound of Music Live!”In his words: “I am proudest of the outstanding team of lawyers we’ve built.”
Inhouse Counsel
Lauren Goldberg
Exec VP, corporate affairs, deputy general counsel
Relativity Media
USC, 2006
Goldberg has made a name for herself this past year by closing some important joint ventures, including a $130 million joint financing deal over six years with EuropaCorp, touted as the first of its kind. Other important deals she negotiated crossed into consumer products and fashion with Madvine and M3.
In her words: “My most important accomplishment this last year was the marketing and distribution joint venture with EuropaCorp, which enables us to more fully utilize our distribution and marketing strength.”
Inhouse Counsel
Alan Saxe
Exec VP, business & legal affairs
WGN America/Tribune Studios
U. of San Diego, 1981
Guiding the recent re-launch of WGN America as a destination for first-run content with inaugural original series “Salem” and “Manhattan,” Saxe has helped elevate Tribune Studios into a creative force. Its most ambitious project on tap: “Ten Commandments,” a 10-part series that utilizes 10 different directors.
In his words: “My biggest contribution has been to help (CEO) Peter Liguori and (prexy) Matt Cherniss stay competitive, not only in the deals we do, but in staying ahead of the curve in the markets Tribune looks to for growth.”
Transactional Lawyers
Iddo I. Arad
Partner
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, 2000
Arad reps studios, production companies, producers, financiers, writers, directors and fine artists.
In his words: “(Accomplishments include) “cementing my representation of film distribution companies Magnolia Pictures, New York-based A24 Films and Tribeca Film, which are making a significant impact on the fast-changing domestic distribution industry.”
Transactional Lawyers
Christopher Brearton
Partner
O’Melveny & Myers
U. of Virginia, 1998
Brearton advised on megadeals such as Guggenheim Securities’ formation of SportsNet LA, Participant Media’s acquisition of the Documentary Channel and Univision’s partnership with El Rey Network. He also serves as outside counsel for MGM, DreamWorks Animation and the Intl. Olympic Committee.
In his words: “It’s incredibly rewarding to help clients throughout all facets of their business as they navigate new technology, launch and brand channels, and set precedents that will define the industry for years to come.”
Transactional Lawyers
Leigh Brecheen
Partner
Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal LaViolette Feldman Schenkman & Goodman
Arizona State, 1978
Brecheen reps standup comics such as Rob Delaney, Iliza Shlesinger; Mike Burns, Paul Reubens and Tommy Johnagin. She also reps U.K. talent in the U.S. Her client John Oliver just switched from “The Daily Show” to his own program on HBO, “Last Week Tonight.”
In her words: “(John Oliver’s show) is going to be amazing and make a real contribution to the cultural/political conversation in our country.”
Transactional Lawyers
P. John Burke
Partner/head of the entertainment group
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Southwestern, 1976
Burke’s deals include repping Bank of America and JP Morgan in a credit facility for an affiliate of Content Partners for the acquisition of a 50% interest in “CSI” from Goldman Sachs; and Trinity Opportunities and Shikumen Capital Management in a $275 million mezzanine debt and equity arrangement with Village Roadshow Entertainment Group.
In his words: “I (also) represented RatPac-Dune Entertainment in its slate co-financing arrangement for up to 75 films with Warner Bros. Pictures.”
Transactional Lawyers
Aydin S. Caginalp
Partner, entertainment & media
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
Tulane, 1974
Caginalp assisted in expanding BMG Rights Management’s catalog, including purchase of publishing assets from Primary Wave Music, the so-called Rosetta collection of catalogs from Sony ATV, and Mute Records and Sanctuary catalogs.
In his words: “We helped music companies in the publishing business build their repertoire this year, especially BMG Music; it was significant in terms of volume and value.”
Transactional Lawyers
Joseph Calabrese
Partner; chair of the Southern California transaction practice
O’Melveny & Myers
Cornell, 1981
Over the past year, Calabrese has made multiple deals spanning film, television and digital media. He’s advised Legendary Entertainment in the launch of its TV division, Warner Bros. in its acquisition of the non-U.S. operations of Netherlands-based TV producer Eyeworks, and the Intl. Olympic Committee and the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. on various major broadcast and media deals.
In his words: “Our clients are some of the most creative and intelligent companies in the business, always on the lookout for new ways to extend their brands.”
Transactional Lawyers
Candace Carlo
Partner
Kleinberg Lange Cuddy & Carlo
UC Davis, 1978
Repping Hans Zimmer in his deal to score best pic Oscar winner “12 Years a Slave,” and for his work on “Rush,” “Winter’s Tale,” and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” were highlights for Carlo. She also set up the Z+ app featuring Zimmer’s music, as well as the new cutting-edge business Bleeding Fingers, partnered with Sony/ATV, for reality television music.
In her words: “It was an incredible year working with Academy Award winners Hans Zimmer and Brenda Chapman (“Brave”), and international powerhouses CJ E&M and Marza Animation.”
Transactional Lawyers
Christopher Chatham
Founding Partner
Chatham & Hogan
Southwestern, 2005
Chatham reps a wide spectrum of film and TV stars, producers, directors, writers, financiers, dealmakers and production companies – advising them on investments, acquisitions, licensing and intellectual property rights. In addition to practicing law, he serves as on-air legal analyst and is part of Phil McGraw’s team of attorneys who explain complicated legal issues to audiences of “Dr. Phil.” In addition to McGraw, clients include Joss Whedon and Kai Cole, Stage 29 Prods., Adaptive Studios and Raycom Media.
In his words: “When I arrive at my office in the morning, I never know what to expect and I wouldn’t want to practice law any other way.”
Transactional Lawyers
Lindsay Conner
Partner, co-chair, entertainment and media practice
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
Harvard, 1980
Conner’s dealmaking has assisted film, TV and new media companies with financing, producing and distribution, plus mergers and acquisitions and financing. He repped Sony Pictures Entertainment in its $200 million slate deal, co-financed by LStar Capital and Citigroup. “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and “22 Jump Street” are part of the package.
In his words: “Highlighting the globalization of entertainment finance as well as production and distribution, I represented a European television company that partnered with Amazon Studios in the financing and distribution of a made-for-Internet series called ‘Bosch.’ ”
Transactional Lawyers
Christine Cuddy
Partner
Kleinberg Lange Cuddy & Carlo
Stanford, 1974
With a portfolio that ranges from noted authors Anne Rice and George R.R. Martin to videogame companies and production companies such as Alcon Entertainment, Cuddy has sealed a number of deals recently for high-profile projects, including Tim Burton’s upcoming feature “Big Eyes,” repping the screenwriters in their deal with the director and the Weinstein Co. She’s in frequent touch with Martin, for whom she handled the rights agreement for HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”
In her words: “Clearing rights for upcoming movies like the ‘Point Break’ remake, and advising George R.R. Martin about ‘Game of Thrones’ were some highlights of the past year.”
Transactional Lawyers
Robert Darwell
Partner/transactional ent., tech & advertising practice group leader
Sheppard Mullin
Georgetown, 1988
Darwell repped Studiocanal with financing for “Inside Llewyn Davis” and closed the Paramount distribution deal for Pathe’s “Selma”; producers include Oprah Winfrey and Plan B.
In his words: “I’ve worked with Pathe on this project about Martin Luther King’s march on Selma, Ala., for at least five years and it’s terrific to now see it getting made.”
Transactional Lawyers
Craig Emanuel
Partner and chair, entertainment department
Loeb & Loeb
Monash U. (Melbourne, Australia), 1981
For Emanuel, the personal highlight of the past 12 months was working with writer-director Robert Rodriguez on the launch of El Rey Network, an English-language cable channel targeting Latinos. He was also busy with writer-directors Tony Gilroy, Lee Daniels, Ryan Murphy and Gabriele Muccino, actors Julie Delpy, Vanessa Marcil and Paul Hogan, and producers Suzanne de Passe, Cathy Schulman, Anthony Bregman and Don Murphy.
In his words: “(El Rey) fills an important void in today’s television market.”
Transactional Lawyers
Ruth Fisher
Partner/co-chair, media, entertainment and technology practice group
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
UCLA, 1980
Major deals include repping Vivendi in the selling of over 85% of its interest in Activision Blizzard for approximately $8.2 billion, and Universal Pictures in its multi-year, multi-picture agreement with Legendary Entertainment. Fisher also quarterbacked the sale of the assets of THQ and repped leading Indian film company Eros Intl. in its U.S. IPO.
In her words: “This was the kind of year we live for — varied transactions for a range of clients, including an IPO, significant dispositions, large carriage agreements and high-profile joint ventures.”
Transactional Lawyers
Seth Gelblum
Partner and chair
Loeb & Loeb
Georgetown, 1982
Gelblum reps an array of legit talent, including directors Julie Taymor, Des McAnuff, George C. Wolfe and Hal Prince, writers Winnie Holzman and David
Henry Hwang, as well as the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and the theatrical arms of various studios, including Warner Bros., Fox, Disney, Paramount and HBO.
In his words: “My days are very intense, going back and forth between projects. When colleagues come into my office, I always say, ‘Tell me what the show is and who the client is,’ so I can orient myself.”
Transactional Lawyers
Richard M. Genow
Co-managing partner
Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelkinson & Binder
Harvard, 1989
Genow’s focus on repping talent with multiple industry roles helps him ease clients such as Oscar-winning writing-directing team of Jim Rash and Nat Faxon into acting in their own shows (“Community,” “Married”) while producing films like “The Way, Way Back.”
In his words: “I’ve focused on structuring deals where the talent is elevated to true partner status. … It’s also been about breaking out of old studio conventions.”
Transactional Lawyers
Clifford W. Gilbert-Lurie
Senior Partner, Ziffren Brittenham
Berkeley, 1979
With a client list that focuses on TV actors and creators, Gilbert-Lurie this year negotiated Dick Wolf’s deal for the spinoff “Chicago PD”; Tina Fey’s next series commitment and two pilots for development, and re-negotiated the Robertson family’s deal for “Duck Dynasty.”
In his words: “Launching my youngest off to college … moving to the Westside after 20 years in Hidden Hills, being elected chair of the Alliance of Children’s Rights … and throughout it all, maintaining an active and challenging practice.”
Transactional Lawyers
Marissa Roman Griffith
Partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Stanford, 1993
Griffith is one of the few female partners and senior Latina attorneys in entertainment finance, having raised over $1 billion in the past year. Deals include repping Bank of America on a credit facility that will provide up to $150 million in financing for various television series, and Comerica Bank on a $150 million credit facility.
In her words: “(I spent most of the past year) as lead counsel on various credit facilities (including RatPac-Dune Entertainment’s facility), and addressing the day-to-day business issues they present.”
Transactional Lawyers
Daniel M. Grigsby
Partner, chairman, national sports law group
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell
Whittier college, 1981
Grigsby’s practice extends to the businesses of sports, entertainment, media and intellectual property. Last year he helped ex-Warner Bros. Home Entertainment prexy Warren Lieberfarb close the sale of a new digital content protection technology to a consortium of two major studios and two digital content delivery companies. For 30 years he’s been a chief outside legal adviser to the Los Angeles Lakers, handling broadcast and sponsorship deals.
In his words: “My most important accomplishment this past year was assisting my good friend and client Kevin Costner negotiate acting agreements for the four films in which he stars that will be released in 2014, and helping him negotiate, structure and complete financing and production for an independent film, ‘Black and White,’ that … will be released through a unique distribution model this fall.”
Transactional Lawyers
Scott Hervey
Partner
Weintraub Tobin
U. of the Pacific, 1995
Hervey keeps one foot in Hollywood and the other in Silicon Beach, working with tech start-ups, gaming companies, TV production companies, multi-channel online networks, YouTube channels and venture capital firms.
In his words: “(My favorite part of the job is) helping our clients achieve their business goals, whether that’s closing a $1.5 million financing for a start-up gaming company, representing investors in Crowdfunder Inc. and in (virtual reality company) Oculus, or working with DreamWorks on the launch of its YouTube Nation daily digital program.”
Transactional Lawyers
James Johnston
Partner
Davis & Gilbert
UCLA, 1997
Johnston counsels companies on technological innovation, internationalization and consolidation. He helped 3net, a joint venture of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Discovery Communications and Imax, with a library programming initiative; and worked with Procter & Gamble’s CoverGirl on its global sponsorship and cross-promotional partnership with Lionsgate for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”
In his words: “My biggest thrill is helping clients bridge the space between entertainment and marketing … and helping them navigate a complex regulatory environment.”
Transactional Lawyers
Kevin Masuda
Partner
Munger, Tolles & Olson
Harvard, 1992
Masuda helped close a number of major deals in 2013, among them several big transactions for audio equipment maker Beats Electronics, including a $500 million equity investment from the Carlyle Group, and longtime client Universal Music Publishing Group’s acquisition of Criterion Music. He also reps clients in the fields of gaming (MGM Intl.), sports and entertainment (Wasserman Media Group) and concert promotion (Nederlander Concerts).
In his words: “I approach my clients’ issues wearing both a legal and business hat. This dual focus builds strong client relationships and gets the deal done.”
Transactional Lawyers
Mickey Mayerson
Deputy chairman
Loeb & Loeb
Columbia, 1981
Susan Zuckerman Williams
Partner
Loeb & Loeb
USC, 1986
Carolyn Hunt
Partner
Loeb & Loeb
Georgetown, 1996
In the past year the Loeb & Loeb team closed over 30 single-picture loan transactions for film and TV, and repped lenders for “Blue Jasmine,” “Lone Survivor” and “Nebraska,” as well as investors in the RatPac-Dune Capital 75-picture co-financing deal with Warner Bros. They also repped Netflix in connection with financing and distribution of film and TV content, including original series “Marco Polo,” “Hemlock Grove” “Orange Is the New Black,” and the upcoming “Sense8,” produced by Andy and Lana Wachowski.
In their words: “With the explosion this past year of digital companies expanding to create their own unique content, we have become the leading group to represent them as they access independent financing,” says Williams.
Transactional Lawyers
Darrell D. Miller
Chair, entertainment law dept.,managing partner of the Los Angeles offices
Fox Rothschild
Georgetown, 1990
A former actor and singer, Miller includes among his clients reality TV shows, movie franchises (“Fast & Furious”) and musicians (Wax). The past year saw him negotiating multi-year deal for rapper Ludacris to star in the “Furious” franchise, and brand extension options for NeNeLeakes.
In his words: “Advising mega-brand Bishop T.D. Jakes through a maze of deals that included multiple films, a talk show, record label, book imprint and Mega-Fest Conference, all outside of (Jakes’) day job.”
Transactional Lawyers
Jonathan D. Moonves
Senior partner
Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano
U. of Virginia, 1985
Moonves reps actors, comedians, writers, producers, execs and companies in all aspects of film and TV. He’s also highly engaged with new media and recently worked with 18-year-old YouTube phenom Bethany Mota to leverage her connection with millions of subscribers, structuring a deal whereby she creates and promotes her own clothing, accessories and perfume lines with retailer Aeropostale.
In his words: “The relationship Bethany has to her followers is different from those of traditional celebrities. (She) represents a significant evolution where a social media/digital personality is driving business. This will change how retailers develop lines. Her deal reflects the coming of age of digital talent.”
Transactional Lawyers
Michele M. Mulrooney
Partner
Venable
USC, 1985
Mulrooney specializes in estate and tax planning and family law for talent, directors, writers, producers and execs. Clients have included the Burt Lancaster Trust, Wendy Goldberg and David Hockney.
In her words: “I arranged a tax-advantaged wealth transfer to a child’s trust, guiding the parents through complex emotional and legal issues surrounding cohabitation, prenuptial and surrogacy.”
Transactional Lawyers
Amy Nickin
Partner
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz
Wayne State, 1997
Nickin did her share of traditional TV and film work, but she says the most interesting deal she cut was for actor John Goodman in Amazon series “Alpha House.”
In her words: “It raised all kinds of unique issues that are different from studio and even Netflix deals. As more of these disruptive platforms enter the market, there are enormous opportunities, as well as pitfalls, for talent.”
Transactional Lawyers
Donald S. Passman
Partner, Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown
Harvard, 1970
J. Eugene Salomon Jr.
Partner, Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown
USC, 1987
Passman and Salomon both specialize in the music business, handling various transactions, including recording, publishing and management agreements, catalog sales and joint ventures for artists and recording and publishing companies. Recent Gang, Tyre deals include Pink’s recording agreement with RCA, Neil Diamond’s recording agreement and catalog license with Capitol Records and Universal Music (moving from Columbia Records after 42 years), Steve Angello’s residency deal with Wynn Las Vegas and his new record deal with Sony Music, and the sale of the Wind-up Records catalog to AF Encore.
In their words: “(My proudest accomplishment is) receiving the Entertainment Law Institute’s service award,” says Passman.
Transactional Lawyers
Jess L. Rosen
Shareholder; co-chair, Atlanta entertainment and media practice
Greenberg Traurig
U. of Florida, 1977
Atlanta-based Rosen reps myriad record producers, music execs, managers, production companies, songwriters and recording artists, including such marquee names as Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and George Strait. Recent highlights include negotiating the release of a Christmas album featuring the cast of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” and helping client Kenny Chesney successfully launch his Blue Chair Bay Rum.
In his words: “(These are) important examples of what can be achieved when vision and execution focus on brand extension.”
Transactional Lawyers
Stephen Saltzman
Partner
Loeb & Loeb
Columbia, 1986
Saltzman repped Beijing Galloping Horse Film Co. in its acquisition of assets from Digital Domain and helped Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures set up English-language remakes of its 1970s films “The Avenging Eagle” and “Come Drink With Me” at the Weinstein Co.
In his words: “(I’m gratified) by instances where I have averted litigation by coming up with creative and mutually beneficial solutions.”
Transactional Lawyers
Paul D. Schindler
Shareholder; senior chair, N.Y. entertainment and media practice
Greenberg Traurig
Brooklyn Law School, 1971
Schindler spent the year cutting entertainment-related deals for clients ranging from the New York Yankees to Latin music stars Marc Anthony and Romeo Santos. He also repped Lenovo in a deal with Kobe Bryant to put together an album for the tech company’s products featuring artists such as Drake, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West.
In his words: “By bringing together Lenovo with Kobe Bryant and various superstar recording artists, we developed a win-win situation for all parties to generate revenue.”
Transactional Lawyers
Nina L. Shaw
Founding partner
Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano
Columbia, 1979
Shaw reps several high-profile clients, including Jamie Foxx, Laurence Fishburne, Ava DuVernay and supporting actress Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o. DuVernay is set to helm the Martin Luther King film “Selma,” produced by Plan B and Oprah Winfrey. For Nyong’o, Shaw negotiated her just-announced “brand ambassadorship” for Lancome.
In her words: “Lupita, coming off her supporting actress win, has struck a chord worldwide, embraced for her beauty and intellect and her groundbreaking speech at the Essence Awards, which has been described as a major statement on the intersection of race and beauty.”
Transactional Lawyers
Fred Toczek
Partner
Felker Toczek Suddleson
USC, 1989
Toczek negotiated deals for high-profile actors, writers and execs in connection with various projects, including Shailene Woodley (“Divergent”), Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (“This Is the End”), Idris Elba (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”), Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit”), Bill Hader (transition from “Saturday Night Live”), Daniel Radcliffe (transition from “Harry Potter”), Justin Theroux and “The Blacklist” creator Jon Bokencamp.
In his words: “Helping navigate the career growth and diversification of clients, and expanding their scope in both TV and features, is gratifying.”
Transactional Lawyers
Kevin Yorn
Founding partner
Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner and Gellman
Tulane, 1990
Yorn renegotiated the structure of complex franchise deals for red-hot clients Zoe Saldana and Scarlett Johansson while finding time for them to commit to beauty campaigns and independent films. He also worked with Ellen DeGeneres to expand and monetize her social-media imprint.
In his words: “It’s been about playing around with tentpole movies and actresses. … And Ellen has such goodwill and a giant social imprint; we want to use that to promote more business going forward. We’re still deciding what to call it.”
Litigators
Jill Basinger
Partner
Glaser Weil
U. of Michigan, 1997
Alongside Patty Glaser, Basinger resolved Keith Olberman’s $50 million lawsuit against Current TV, and helped get favorable settlements for Food Network’s Paula Deen, who lost promotional partners after revelations she once used a racial slur.
In her words: “It is rare to stand with a client who’s willing to fight for his rights in the face of corporate and political pressure. But that’s Keith. He’s the best.”
Litigators
Patty Glaser
Partner, chair of the litigation dept.
Glaser Weil
Rutgers, 1973
Representing Gail Berman in her split from BermanBraun, Glaser, alongside Jill Basinger, also handled legal fallout from Paula Deen’s loss of promotional partners following disclosures that she had used a racially derogatory term in the past. Glaser was also instrumental in resolving Keith Olbermann’s dispute with Current TV.
In her words: “I am most proud of my achievements that resulted in great outcomes for my clients — including helping my friend Gail Berman separate from the entertainment company she co-founded, and representing City National Bank in its dispute with videogame makers and distributors.”
Litigators
David Halberstadter
Partner
Katten Muchin Rosenman
Georgetown, 1982
An intellectual property specialist, Halberstadter has in the past year worked on cases for such clients as AMC, CBS, DirecTV, DreamWorks, E! Networks, Lionsgate, Media Rights Capital, Showtime, Starz and Summit Entertainment. He says he’s proudest of the work he did with director Federico Fellini’s 1960 Italian classic “La Dolce Vita” on behalf of Paramount Pictures.
In his words: “(We successfully demonstrated) to a federal court, through extensive historic records spanning 50 years, that (the studio) owned the exclusive U.S. rights in the film.’’
Litigators
Mark Holscher
Partner
Kirkland & Ellis
UC Berkeley, 1988
A leading expert in slate financing and profit participation disputes, Holscher recently repped private equity fund Melrose 2 in its $375 million film financing dispute with Paramount Studios and New York hedge fund Elliott Management in its reported $2 billion dispute with Universal Studios. Both matters settled on confidential terms in 2013 and early 2014.
In his words: “(I was gratified to) represent the first group of parents to convert a low-performing elementary school under California’s Parent Trigger Law, leading other states to adopt parent-led reforms.”
Litigators
Dale Kinsella
Partner
Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert
UCLA, 1974
Intellectual property rights are Kinsella’s specialty, and he has a slew of recent cases either settled or under way, repping the creators of “Smallville” and “The Walking Dead” against Warner Bros. TV and AMC. He also reps Legendary Pictures Prods. in a contract dispute with producers of the upcoming feature “Godzilla.”
In his words: “I enjoy working on cutting edge, industry-shaping cases such as ‘Smallville,’ ‘Godzilla’ and ‘The Walking Dead.’ These types of cases are changing the ways studios do business.”
Litigators
Edward A. Klein
Partner
Liner
UC Berkeley, 1992
An expert in Rico cases, Klein specializes in high-profile entertainment, intellectual property and business litigation. He recently obtained a summary judgment for rapper Rick Ross, winning a lawsuit brought by former drug kingpin “Freeway” Ricky Ross. He also repped Tokyo Broadcasting System in its copyright infringement suit against ABC and Endemol over the television series “Wipeout.” Settlement was confidential.
In his words: “Persuading the Court of Appeal to recognize the First Amendment defense in the Rick Ross case was extremely gratifying.”
Litigators
Aaron J. Moss
Partner, litigation and intellectual property groups
Greenberg Glusker
Harvard, 1997
A copyright expert, Moss has litigated complex cases all the way to the Supreme Court, and specializes in IP matters. He reps Tom Cruise, DreamWorks Animation, Discovery Communications, Hulu, Classic Media, video game publishers Ubisoft Entertainment and Gameloft, Toho Co. (owner of the “Godzilla” IP rights), and the estate of Rod Serling.
In his words: “(My best accomplishment is) teaching my 5-year-old how to read. She likes my legal briefs, but thinks they could use a few more pictures of talking bears.”
Litigators
Ronald J. Nessim
Principal
Bird Marella
U. of Michigan, 1980
Nessim scored a win for Don Bellisario, creator of “JAG” and “NCIS,” in a dispute with CBS over “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
In his words: “CBS designed the ‘NCIS: LA’ series in a way that it believed was not subject to Bellisario’s contractual first opportunity rights. I am proud that we were able to analyze the contracts at issue, develop a credible theory that Bellisario had spinoff rights, obtain considerable facts supporting that theory and settle the case on the eve of trial.”
Litigators
Daniel Petrocelli
Partner
O’Melveny & Myers
Southwestern, 1980
Petrocelli prevailed in an appeal confirming DC Comics and Warner Bros.’ ownership of the Superman character, won a confidential arbitration on behalf of Lucasfilm and defended fashion titan Guess in a lawsuit brought by Gucci, shrinking a $300 million claim into a $2.3 million award.
In his words: “I am most proud that clients continue to turn to us in their most important cases.”
Litigators
Glenn D. Pomerantz
Litigation partner
Munger, Tolles & Olson
Harvard, 1983
Pomerantz repped Warner Bros. in its successful suit against the Weinstein Co. over the naming of the film “The Butler.” He’s lead trial counsel in a class action suit against the NCAA for unauthorized use of players’ images, and repping Universal Music Publishing Group in two disputes.
In his words: “(I want to) totally own the client’s problem and use our firm to resolve the problem favorably.”
Litigators
Marvin Putnam
Partner
O’Melveny & Myers
Georgetown, 1993
In 2013, Putnam led the team that successfully defended client AEG Live against a wrongful death suit brought by the family of the late singer Michael Jackson, and Fox Broadcasting, FremantleMedia and others in a lawsuit alleging they unlawfully disqualified African-American male contestants from “American Idol.”
In his words: “What an artist does in his bedroom is beyond the reach of the companies he works with, as it should be. The Jacksons wanted companies to intrude into artists’ personal lives. That’s wrong, ”
Litigators
Mathew Rosengart
Shareholder, litigation practice
Greenberg Traurig
Boston College, 1987
In a case involving complex rights for film directors, including final cut, Rosengart successfully defended Oscar nominee Kenneth Lonergan in a heated five-year battle against a financier of the writer-director’s film “Margaret.” Other clients include Sean Penn and Mary Tyler Moore.
In his words: “Kenny is a brilliant director, yet he was attacked in a vicious way. He nevertheless persevered and prevailed, both as a director and as a defendant. … This case was hard-fought and in the end, very gratifying.”
Litigators
Dan Rozansky
Partner
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
Loyola, 1992
By mounting a vigorous anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) defense against multiple suits served against his clients, who work in fields film, finance and reality TV, Rozansky saved them $500 million, including recovered attorney’s fees.
In his words: “I’m proud of the job I’ve done in refocusing the course on the essence of these lawsuits, and making the court understand that these are SLAPP lawsuits. I’ve used the anti-SLAPP motion and statue in the fashion it was designed for: To do away with unmeritorious lawsuits.”
Litigators
Robert M. (‘Bobby’) Schwartz
Partner
O’Melveny & Myers
USC, 1984
Schwartz won a favorable settlement for Studiocanal in its suit against Universal over division of profits from 44 jointly produced films. He’s also been defending Hulu in a potentially ground-breaking case over alleged violation of customer privacy rights, with tens of billions of dollars in the balance.
In his words: “It’s been a privilege to stand up in court for our clients. (The year) 2012 started by setting things right for the guys who created ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘Modern Warfare,’ and 2013 ended by repairing Studiocanal’s half-billion-dollar investment in Working Title Films.”
Litigators
Orin Snyder
Co-chair, media, entertainment and technology practice group
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
U. of Pennsylvania, 1986
Trial lawyer and legal advisor Snyder has repped such heavyweight clients as Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook (he just won its Paul Ceglia breach of contract case), Apple (in its e-book antitrust case), Polyvore, Square, NBC Universal, Cablevision, Aetna, Goldman Sachs, Starbucks, Time Warner, Valueclick and Warner Music Group. He’s also handled complex litigation for Bob Dylan, Jerry Seinfeld and Mariah Carey.
In his words: “Winning the Ceglia case for Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg … and proving the lawsuit was a fraud was a complete vindication.”
Litigators
Joel Weiner
Partner
Katten Muchin Rosenman
UC Berkeley, 1988
On the eve of trial, Weiner won a rare appellate peremptory writ of mandate ordering the court to grant summary judgment for NBCUniversal Media on a statute of limitations defense that barred plaintiffs’ idea theft claims concerning the Syfy series “Ghost Hunters.”
In his words: “More and more, federal courts are dismissing copyright cases at the pleading stage. Clients appreciate this; in addition to saving money, it lets them do their jobs without being distracted by depositions and discovery in meritless litigation.”
Litigators
Michael E. Weinsten
Member, entertainment litigation category
Lavely & Singer
Washington U., 1991
Weinsten reps clients such as Selena Gomez and Paris Hilton, as well as cable companies, production studios, record labels and video game companies. Weinsten is co-counsel for Hasbro in its case against Sweetpea Entertainment over movie rights to Dungeons & Dragons. He repped Prospect Park in a $95 million lawsuit against ABC.
In his words: “My proudest accomplishment wasn’t the cases receiving media attention but the number of high-stakes matters resolved short of litigation and outside the public eye.”
Litigators
Howard Weitzman
Partner
Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert
USC, 1965
Weitzman’s reputation goes back to his representation of John DeLorean and O.J. Simpson. Last month, he prevailed on behalf of Usher and Justin Bieber in a $10 million case accusing them of stealing the tune, “Somebody to Love.” He also repped ICM Partners in a suit filed by Jeff Berg’s Resolution agency seeking past commissions; the settlement was undisclosed.
In his words: “This past year, whether negotiating or litigating for the Michael Jackson Estate, Justin Bieber or other clients, has been both challenging and rewarding.”
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