As the entertainment industry continues to expand across borders and technological platforms, Latham & Watkins LLP‘s media and entertainment team remains at the forefront of the market, providing comprehensive guidance on a diverse array of transactions for a range of clients including production companies, major motion picture studios, investment funds, financial institutions, and video game developers, among others. The team’s work frequently runs cross-border, regularly advising multinational clients on their acquisitions, operations expansions, and financing agreements. Following the departure of former practice head Ken Deutsch in June 2023, Rick Offsay now leads the department from Los Angeles, offering clients a wealth of experience in devising innovative transaction structures to help them deploy capital across various geographies and industry sectors. Also in Los Angeles are Kendall Johnson, who specializes in transactional matters in the sports sector, and Nancy Bruington, who has extensive experience in structuring and negotiating complex financing transactions within the entertainment industry for clients active in motion picture production, television, music, and sports media, among others. In New York, Justin Hamill further enhances the practice with his expertise in high-value strategic and private equity deals, advising clients on a broad spectrum of film, television, music, and content-related business transactions.

Renowned as a go-to advisor for a diverse array of clients, including technology companies, motion picture studios, independent filmmakers, and financial institutions, Akin‘s Los Angeles-based media and entertainment team offers vast experience navigating complex financing arrangements within the industry. Christopher Spicer leads the practice and is well-known for his ability to facilitate high-visibility deals and credit facilities between movie production companies and financial institutions. Marissa Román Griffith specializes in negotiating high-value international financing arrangements for borrowers, financiers, and distributors in the film, television, and digital content spaces.. Alissa Miller and Vanessa Roman also contribute significantly to the team’s strength and depth, with Miller adept at handling deals between independent movie production companies and financial institutions, and Roman focusing on entertainment financings and single project loans. Lauren Epstein is a further name to note and handles private equity-backed and strategic M&A in connection with film and television projects.

Leveraging its global presence, the media and entertainment group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC serves a wide client roster that encompasses banks, celebrity estates, authors, musicians, fashion models, and various professionals in the film, television, theatre, and comedy industries. Notably, as the digital landscape evolves, the team draws on integrated firmwide expertise in privacy and data security matters to advise on transactions related to blockchain technology and Web3 projects for video game and eSports publishers. Co-heading the practice from New York are Andrew Hurwitz, who maintains close relationships with clients in the film and television space, and Michael Williams, who is noted for his experience handling transactions in the fashion industry. Joining them in New York are Richard B. Heller, who focuses on new media and IP, Lisa Davis, whose practice centers on film, publishing, and live stage entertainment, and experienced M&A specialist Marcie Cleary. Also based in New York are Ben Moskowitz, who advises on transactional matters in connection with the production of documentary films and television programs, and Julie Murray, a specialist in television, documentary, digital, comedy, and branded content. A significant addition to the Los Angeles team in July 2023 was Melanie Tomanov, who joined the firm from Katten.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP‘s media and entertainment practice is a hub for expertise in M&A, complex film finance transactions, and joint ventures across the film, live entertainment, and television sectors as well as in rapidly expanding areas such as interactive products and entertainment-related technology. Based in Los Angeles, the practice is led by two co-heads: Kevin Masuda is known for his representation of content companies in various transactions and strategic agreements, and Benyamin Ross has substantial experience advising on investments, joint ventures, and commercial agreements within the technology, media, and entertainment space. Complementing them are private equity specialist Ari Lanin and Steve Tsoneff, who maintains close relationships with a roster of content producers, distributors, and financiers, with a particular focus on audiovisual content. Further key contacts in the team include Sarah Graham, who boasts a strong track record of representing media, entertainment, technology, and gaming companies in a range of business transactions, and Taylor Hathaway-Zepeda, whose expertise lies in divestitures, joint ventures, equity investments, restructuring, and general corporate governance.

With its robust interdisciplinary composition and strengths in IP litigation, entertainment labor, and corporate matters, Loeb & Loeb LLP‘s media and entertainment team excels in helping clients seize cross-sector expansion opportunities in various areas of the market, including motion pictures and interactive media. The team is well-regarded for its ability to advise on innovative licensing and streaming deals in the music industry, providing strategic counsel to music companies, financial institutions, and leading technology firms. The practice also regularly handles transactions for clients active in the Broadway and live theatre, non-scripted television, sports, and new media spaces. Co-heading the practice from Los Angeles is Scott Edel, an expert in production, financing, and distribution transactions, while in New York, co-head Roger Arar specializes in network licensing agreements, finance, distribution, and production transactions. Other key figures in New York are Marc Chamlin, who chairs the firm’s television department, and music expert Debbie White. Los Angeles partner John Frankenheimer is also noted for his representation of clients in the music space, including record companies and distributors, multinational and independent music publishers and major artists. Sponsorship and licensing expert Bess Morgan, who practices from Nashville, is a further name to note.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP‘s media and entertainment practice represents industry giants in the production industry as well as major music artists and broadcast personalities, offering a comprehensive range of services covering high-profile M&A transactions, distribution deals, corporate partnerships, and financings. With a particularly strong foothold in the music sector, the team's expertise extends to emerging companies and platforms in podcasting, television, games/esports, virtual reality, and other emerging digital media spaces. The team is headed up by Jordan Bromley in Los Angeles, who is renowned for his work on issues surrounding the streaming economy, major music transactions, and deals related to Web 3.0 products and projects. Other key figures at the firm include prolific debt financing expert Sophia Yen, Christopher Chatham, who is experienced in advising clients on various production issues, and Gary Gilbert, a sought-after advisor in the music space who represents recording artists, producers, songwriters, and executives in complex, high-profile transactions.

Leveraging its international network, Paul Hastings LLP‘s entertainment and media group caters to a diverse clientele which includes high-profile individuals, independent content companies, banks, talent agencies, and private equity investors. The team’s comprehensive range of services encompasses advice on significant M&A deals as well as on acquisition and project financings. The practice recruited entertainment investment and acquisitions specialist Ken Deutsch from Latham & Watkins LLP in June 2023. Deutsch now co-chairs the practice group alongside Erik Hyman, who is well-regarded for his ability to advise non-entertainment companies on their television industry strategies. Other key figures within the practice include Susan Williams, who is noted for her role in sophisticated entertainment-related capital market transactions as well as in licensing and distribution agreements, and Mickey Mayerson, who offers clients expertise in single-picture financings, securitization transactions, and joint ventures involving entertainment industry companies. Additionally, the practice benefits from the expertise of David Hernand, who specializes in studio and streaming-services acquisitions, and Sean Monroe, whose proficiency lies in sports industry matters. Craig Emanuel retired from the practice in September 2023. All lawyers mentioned are based in Los Angeles.

Perkins Coie LLP‘s media and entertainment group maintains its strong presence in the gaming industry and also places a notable focus on advising on projects related to innovative technologies in sectors spanning entertainment, media, sports, software, social networking, e-commerce, retail, and advertising industries. Jason Schneiderman, based in Palo Alto, is one of the practice’s three co-heads and routinely advises on transactions in the entertainment tech sphere, handling deals related to virtual reality, blockchain, SaaS, interactive entertainment, and artificial intelligence. Co-head Kirk Soderquist, located in Seattle, maintains close relationships with a client roster of emerging growth technology companies. Also based in Seattle, Ron Koo serves as a key contact for transactions in the gaming sector, collaborating with leading developers, device manufacturers, and social connectivity platforms on commercial agreements and international product launches. In New York, John Delaney, the third practice head, focuses on sectors such as music, TV, film, and online platforms. His New York colleagues include live sports rights specialist Shirin Malkani and Ali Mirsaidi, who is a further key contact for entertainment technology M&A.

Drawing upon its extensive global experience, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP‘s media and entertainment practice group adeptly manages the acquisition, financing, production, and distribution of content for major studios, streaming services, and other platforms worldwide. The practice’s expertise extends across various industry sectors, including sports, music, live events, podcasts, art, publishing, and fashion. Leading the practice from New York is Alexis Robinson, who is renowned for providing strategic counsel in complex commercial transactions involving the emerging technology, entertainment, and media sectors. In Los Angeles, key contacts include advertising, fashion, and art specialist Robert Darwell, Robb Klein, whose expertise lies in film and television financing, production, merchandising, and the licensing of rights in digital media, and Linda Michaelson, who assists public and private companies with a range of corporate transactions. Further key contacts in the Los Angeles office include finance and mergers expert David Sands, Leif Cervantes De Reinstein, who has notable experience in scripted television and VOD matters, and Shaun Clark, whose entertainment practice encompasses IP rights and first-look agreements.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP has amassed considerable experience in handling transformative transactions, including as acquisitions, divestitures and financings, for a raft of blue-chip media and entertainment clients. In New York, practice head and firmwide presiding partner Faiza Saeed is sought out by public companies, boards of directors and special committees for assistance with M&A, corporate governance, takeover defense, and crisis management work. Her transactional prowess was notably demonstrated in her recent assistance to Hasbro in connection with the $500m sale of its Entertainment One film and TV business to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.

Praised for its ‘ hands-on deal management’ and ‘deep expertise in the entertainment and music sectors’, DLA Piper LLP (US) advises extensively on music rights securitization and is equipped to structure and negotiate a broad range of agreements in areas such as content development, production and distribution. A trio of partners head up the Los Angeles-based team: Tom Ara‘s transactional abilities were most recently showcased in his handling of a VR content production deal for TikTok and parent company ByteDance, Robert Sherman is frequently sought out by music rights acquirers to advise on distressed transactions, and David Markman‘s broad practice includes serving as production counsel for film and television projects. Seasoned entertainment lawyer Richard Petretti is geared to assist with work including secured and unsecured film, television and music financings, while Katherine Imp has extensive experience in negotiating production and post-production agreements for audiovisual content.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP pulls together a robust transactional offering in the entertainment space, with music catalog acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships among the firm’s areas of focus. In Chicago, practice head Seth Traxler frequently brings his tech expertise to bear on a range of technology transactions for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high-growth start-ups in the media and entertainment space. Spin-offs, carve-outs and securities offerings are among New York-based Edward Lee‘s areas of expertise. In the same office, Shellie Freedman is geared to handle mandates with a technology and IP element, while Rory Wellever and Bernadette Coppola in the Chicago office further bolster the firm’s strength in a diverse range of M&A work. The unit is additionally equipped to handle ESG and data privacy issues as well as regulatory concerns in transactions.

Praised for its ‘deep expertise in media asset-backed securities transactions’, the team of ‘excellent lawyers’ at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP handles a range of transactional work for a range of key strategic players in the market. Practice co-heads Robert Schumer and Michael Vogel ’s M&A expertise is frequently brought to bear on major deals in the space. They co-lead the team with Charles H. Googe Jr., who is noted for his experience with financing transactions. Robert Zochowski Jr. is particularly well-regarded for his ability to advise on project financings involving assets such as music rights securitizations. Ariel Deckelbaum departed in March 2023.

Motion picture and television studios, film financiers, music publishers, gaming companies and sports franchises are among the clients that routinely turn to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP for assistance with impactful M&A deals, financing transactions and the formation of entities such as music labels. David Eisman heads up the team from the firm’s Los Angeles office and has a proven track record in cross-border transactions. Also in Los Angeles, Glen G. Mastroberte‘s varied practice includes assistance with acquisition and gaming transactions, joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is geared to assist with a range of high-value transactional work for clients connected to the content production and distribution industries. New York-based duo Jonathan Levitsky and Emily Huang share leadership duties. Both are well-placed to handle corporate transactions for entertainment clients, with Levitsky also a key contact for media clients and Huang frequently mandated by sports sector entities. In San Francisco, Michael Diz‘s broad practice spans M&A, corporate governance and fiduciary duty matters.

From the negotiation of content distribution deals to the establishment of production companies to cross-border business expansion, the varied practice at Greenberg Traurig, LLP is well-positioned to assist a diverse cross-section of entertainment clients with a broad array of transactional mandates. The firm’s wide reach is underscored by its three practice heads: Bobby Rosenbloum is based in the firm’s Atlanta office and centers his practice on negotiating content agreements with rights owners. Dan Black operates from the firm’s Los Angeles office and counts high-profile music catalog acquisitions among his strong suits. Barbara Meili in New York completes the leadership team and has a proven track record in distributor arrangements and acquisitions in the broadcasting sector.

With a cross-country and international reach, Katten‘s Los Angeles office is a popular destination for clients such as motion picture studios, video game developers and major sports teams. Michael Hobel heads up the practice and is geared to assist with mandates involving intellectual property rights and assets. Scott Cutrow‘s portfolio of work encompasses entertainment finance transactions and talent agreements. Daniel Render‘s transactional prowess is relied upon by a range of sports clients, including teams, stadia and strategic investors. The unit additionally collaborates closely with the firm's entertainment litigation group to handle issues such as chain-of-title reviews, conflict resolution and dispute avoidance.

Proskauer Rose LLP‘s established media and entertainment practice is known for its ability to negotiate and structure media distribution deals involving cable, satellite, and telecoms providers. The team is also well-versed in mandates relating to NFTs and over-the-top platforms. Practice co-head Robert Freeman has a proven track record in advising on joint ventures and strategic alliances in the media and entertainment field. Co-head Lauren Boglivi frequently leverages her private and public M&A experience to handle transactions in the gaming and sports spaces, while in Los Angeles, co-head Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks is a seasoned entertainment industry litigator. Wai Choy’s broad practice extends to the negotiation of regional and national content licensing deals. Unless otherwise mentioned, all named lawyers are based in New York.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s entertainment, sports and media practice guides clients such as production companies, A-list actors and publishers through transactions spanning recapitalizations, acquisitions, and strategic investments. The Los Angeles group is overseen by Alan Epstein, who chairs the entertainment transactions practice, Sidney Fohrman, who chairs the music and digital media practice, and Andrew Kramer, who chairs the motion picture, television and entertainment finance practice. Strategic relationships expert Steven Hurdle is described as ‘best in class in terms of corporate counsel in media transactions’.  Shane Nix is a key contact for matters that fall at the nexus between entertainment and technology.