Stephen Saltzman > Fieldfisher > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Fieldfisher
RIVERBANK HOUSE
2 SWAN LANE
LONDON
EC4R 3TT
England
Stephen Saltzman photo

Work Department

Head of International Entertainment Group, Media

Position

Head of International Entertainment Group, Media

Career

Stephen has extensive experience in domestic and international transactions in the entertainment and media industries.  He focuses on innovative and complex international distribution, co-production, and co-financing transactions as well as cross-border transactions involving the creation, production, financing, and/or exploitation of content, and brand building.

Stephen advises a broad range of clients across the media and entertainment spectrum, including US, European and Asia-based producers, production companies, studios, theme park operators, distribution companies, broadcasters, digital content companies (including esports teams), banks, film funds, directors, talent, and authors.  Recent engagements include the representation of DZ Bank in connection with the co-financing of “Those About to Die”, one of the highest budgeted independently financed television series, assisting See-Saw Films in an innovative partnership with Michael Ende Productions to adapt the Michael Ende novel “The Never-Ending Story”, representing Tokyopop in connection with an anime production financing transaction with MBC Group, and advising various production companies on GenAI use cases and related copyright and contract language issues.

Before moving to London from Los Angeles, Stephen regularly appeared on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Power Lawyers Top 100” list and on Variety’s “Dealmakers Impact Report”, and frequently participate as a featured speaker and panellist in seminars and symposiums in the United States, Europe, and Asia.  In addition to my US and Asia experience, I utilise my language capability in connection with my German-speaking practice, which has been profiled in various German publications.

Memberships

Stephen serves as the Non-Executive Chair of Snipple Animation in the UK and as a member of the Advisory Council to Asia Society of Southern California.

Lawyer Rankings

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Media finance

(Leading partners)

Stephen Saltzman – Fieldfisher

A popular destination for financiers and production clients alike, Fieldfisher fields a strong media finance practice that draws on its international network to advise on multijurisdictional deals, including international media finance transactions. The team has been particularly active in the structuring of co-financing and co-production deals, but its wide-ranging expertise in the sector also extends to M&A involving the film and TV industries and media-related tax issues. Co-head Stephen Saltzman handles a mix of international distribution, co-production and co-financing transactions. Fellow co-leader Carlton Durrant focuses on M&A, joint ventures and fundraising matters. Tim Johnson is a longstanding expert in media finance, with over 30 years’ experience in advising US clients on complex film and TV finance structures and rights licensing arrangements. Senior associate Alice Taylor works closely with Durrant on deal structures for corporate acquisitions of film and TV production companies.

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Film & TV

Standing out for its expertise in financings and corporate-focused matters in the film and television spaces, Fieldfisher has a strong track record in M&A transactions and joint ventures, rights licensing arrangements, and production and distribution issues. Clients of the firm also benefit from its specialist media tax team and strong capabilities in contentious matters. Stephen Saltzman, who leads the media and entertainment practice, excels in transactional work and AI-related issues, while Carlton Durrant is the go-to name for corporate finance and M&A in the film and TV sectors. An authority in the media and entertainment market, Tim Johnson possesses a wealth of experience in international co-productions, rights licensing, and distribution deals.