A media and entertainment heavyweight with an international reach, Latham & Watkins LLP ‘s sizeable team handles industry-defining transactions for film and television studios, new media companies and private equity firms. Practice head Ken Deutsch specializes in investment and acquisitions across the entertainment space, he recently represented A24 in the receival of a $225m equity investment aimed at expanding the production and distribution capabilities of the company. Kendall Johnson has inked major deals for clients across the industry; her recent representation of MGM in its acquisition by Amazon spotlights her position as a major player in the field. New York-based joint venture expert Rick Offsay is adept at advising on complex financing arrangements such as Silver Lake’s recent investment in Shadowbox studios. Nancy A. Bruington is an expert in ‘complicated media collateral’,  she recently represented Entertainment One in a high value revolving credit facility. All lawyers mentioned are based in Los Angeles.

Akin is a key destination for financial institutions, mezzanine investors and private equity firms that wish to invest in film, television, music and videogames. The Los Angeles-based team is helmed by Chris Spicer ; he focuses his practice on financing and recently advised HPS Investment Partners on a complex FILO loan for a music rights catalogue purchase. Marissa Román Griffith ‘s diverse transactional experience encompasses negative pickups and slate co-financing agreements- in a recent highlight she represented Media Rights Capital in a suite of transactions including a high-value refinancing and distribution agreements. Alissa Miller frequently assists major production companies and financial institutions with high-level production arrangements, financings, and M&A, while Vanessa Roman specializes in entertainment financings and single project loans in particular; she is additionally well placed to advise on matters pertaining to streaming and virtual reality.

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC splits the practice between New York and Los Angeles, representing talent from across the entertainment spectrum and specializing in up. In Los Angeles, practice co-head Andrew Hurwitz ‘s practice includes negotiating and structuring development and production agreements, he recently handled the incorporation of Yla Eason’s superhero, Sun-Man, to Mattel’s Masters of the Universe roster. Fellow practice co-head Michael Williams is based in New York, frequently negotiating merchandising and licensing agreements. Also in New York, Richard Heller focuses on new media and IP and recently represented Robbie Williams in a life story rights deal for the motion picture ‘Better Man’. Lisa Davis focuses her practice on film, publishing and live stage entertainment; she has represented Black Theatre United pro bono since it was formed in 2020. Julie Murray represents clients in the television, comedy and branded content industries from the firm’s New York office. Further recommended is New York-based Ben Moskowitz who regularly works as production counsel on documentary films and television programs.

In Los Angeles, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is a go-to firm high-profile music transactions, with the team active across talent deals for the likes of The Eagles and Burt Bacharach as well as catalog sales. The practice is additionally well-versed in corporate transactions and frequently represents major film and television companies in deals such as financings and capital raises. Practice head Jordan Bromley represents a wide roster of musical artists as well as advocating for changes to labor law in California as musicians are currently exempt from certain protections. His colleague Sophia Yen is highly experienced in complex development deals and financings and led on the recent formation of the global comedy company Hartbeat. Gary Gilbert excels in negotiating recording agreements and world tours for leading musical artists. Christopher Chatham advises on production issues and celebrity backed consumer brands.

The California-based team at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP specializes in content acquisition and production matters such as film library purchases and licensing deals for both major streaming services and indie media companies like Black Bear Television. Film financing specialist Robb Klein heads the practice, he recently inked a high-value accordion credit facility for Ashland Hill Media Finance. Robert Darwell is noted for his long-standing work on behalf of Amazon, while digital media specialist Linda Michaelson ’s practice centers around corporate transactions; she recently Sony Pictures Television in its acquisition of a controlling interest in Industrial Media. David Sands is a media finance and mergers expert who recently advised creator platform startup Spotter on a series D funding round and has handled previous funding rounds for the company. Shaun Clark ’s entertainment practice encompasses IP rights and first look agreements, and Leif Cervantes De Reinstein represents an impressive roster of indie production companies and deals primarily with matters pertaining to scripted television and VOD.

The corporate expertise at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP enables the firm to handle high-value acquisitions such as Amazon’s recent $8.45bn acquisition of MGM, closed in March 2022, in which the practice represented the acquirer. The team also frequently advises the likes of Yell Holdco Limited and Quibi Holdings on banking matters, restructurings and winding down processes. Faiza Saeed  leads the practice from New York and has extensive experience of crisis management and M&A- in a recent highlight she represented Disney in a support agreement with Third Point.

The broad entertainment offering at Loeb & Loeb LLP incorporates episodic content for major streaming platforms, live music, immersive entertainment and a subgroup focused on podcasts and their crossover possibilities. Roger Arar co-heads the practice from New York; he has extensive experience of leading on network licensing agreements and represents the Kubrick estate on deals including the development of unproduced Kubrick film projects. In Los Angeles, co-head of practice Scott Edel ‘s practice includes production, financing and distribution transactions such as those he recently handled in support of the computer-animated film ‘Garfield’. Also in Los Angeles, John Frankenheimer  is a music specialist who represents companies and artists; he recently secured new songwriting agreements for Blake Bollinger, Lee Brice and Rachel Wammack. In New York, fellow music expert Debbie White focuses on artists’ work with streaming platforms and is representing media company Hello Sunshine in connection with the production of a music show named ‘My Kind of Country’. Another name to note is New York-based Mark Chamlin who represents Oprah Winfrey in a number of high-profile deals.

A key strategic player in the world of media and entertainment, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP handles a range of complex corporate transactions for major cross-platform content providers. Renowned M&A expert Robert Schumer co-heads the practice- in a recent highlight he advised Advance in the high profile merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery. Michael Vogel completes the leadership team, his transactional proficiency was recently showcased in his representation of Bowlero Corp in a business combination with Isos Acquisition Corporation. Further recommended is Robert Zochowski Jr.  who specializes in film and music rights asset securitizations. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

The ‘well-conducted orchestra’ at Perkins Coie LLP parlays its traditional strength in the videogame sector into a broader practice that encompasses digital media and sport and is well placed to take advantage of the ongoing convergence of technology and entertainment in the space. Technology lawyer Kirk Soderquist co-leads the ensemble from Seattle, he is currently conducting due diligence of Activision Blizzard’s intellectual property and video game assets for longstanding client Microsoft. The baton is shared with the Alto Palo-based lawyer Jason Schneiderman, who specializes in matters pertaining to immersive technology. John Delaney rounds off the leadership team from New York; his broad practice includes product counseling and music licensing. Technology transactions lawyer and Seattle Symphony board member Ron Koo acts as the primary client lead for Epic games; his work for the company includes various IP matters and B2B agreements.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP stands out for having the bandwidth to handle large industry-shaping deals such as the firm’s representation of Discovery in its $130bn takeover of TimeWarner; a deal that required a complex Reverse Morris Trust transaction. The team is led by Jonathan Levitsky from the firm’s New York offices, he is an M&A specialist and led on the Discovery takeover. San Francisco-based Michael Diz  is another M&A expert at the firm; he is currently advising the Dolan Family on the creation of a spin-off company that would combine Madison Square’s live entertainment business with MSG Networks. 

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s Los Angeles-based team handles music and media acquisitions, promotional partnerships and various matters at the intersection of technology and experiences such as the first ever NFT drop from space. Practice co-head Tom Ara specializes in strategic industry transactions and is representing VVIP Venture in the acquisition of National Enquirer, National Examiner and Globe. Fellow practice co-head Robert J. Sherman‘s practice includes music rights acquisitions and entertainment bankruptcy proceedings. Final practice co-head David Markman frequently negotiates on behalf of above and below-the-line talent. He currently represents Jeanie Buss and David McLane on multiple transactional issues relating to their all-female wrestling organization: Women of Wrestling. Another name to note is Katherine Imp who provides key support to Ara on a wide array of matters.

Katten represents leading creators, film studios and television networks on both the domestic and international stage. Development, production and licensing arrangements are key areas of focus team. Practice head Michael Hobel handles an array of matters related to content creation and distribution for clients such as Debmar-Mercury and HBO. Melanie Tomanov specializes at negotiating deals for high-profile clients from the film and music industry, while Scott Cutrow provides key support to Hobel, including on talent agreements for the streaming platform Hulu. All named lawyers are based in Los Angeles.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP specializes in joint ventures, strategic alliances and high-profile acquisitions in areas from music catalogs to video game development studios. Carve-out transactions specialist Seth Traxler operates from the firm’s Chicago office - in a recent highlight he represented MNRK Music Group in its sale of the Death Row Records brand to Snoop Dogg. Also in Chicago, Rory Wellever leverages his entertainment industry experience to advise on a range of commercial transactions such as Hipgnosis Song Management’s recent acquisition of Justin Timberlake’s song catalog. In New York, Shellie Freedman centers her practice on IP and technology matters and worked alongside Traxler on the Death Row matter. Another name to note is Chicago-based Bernadette Coppola, who focuses her practice on data-related transactions.

The New York-based team at Proskauer Rose LLP advises on high-profile M&A , OTT launches and distribution deals for the likes of Warner Bros, Discovery, Hulu and iHeartMedia.  Practice co-head Robert Freeman ‘s detailed knowledge of the media and entertainment side of M&A deals makes him a valuable corporate asset. Fellow co-head Lauren Boglivi  is another M&A expert who recently represented Homecare Homebase LLC in its acquisition of CellTrak Technologies. Co-head Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks divides her time between New York and Los Angeles and focuses her bi-coastal practice on music litigation and transactional matters. Also in New York, Jeffrey Neuburger is a blockchain specialist who is handling a range of matters for Miramax related to a a collection of NFTs, while filmmaker-turned-lawyer Wai Choy  is another name to note who is also leading on the Miramax NFT matter.

A strong corporate track record has made Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP a key destination for media and entertainment companies carrying out acquisitions on both the buyer’s and seller’s side. The practice is headed by Michael Lubowitz  in New York. In addition to his M&A expertise, Lubowitz has experience in hostile tender offers and restructurings, and recently represented DirecTV in the acquisition of assets and liabilities from AT&T.