Tom Ara > DLA Piper LLP (US) > Los Angeles (Century City), United States > Lawyer Profile

The Los Angeles-based team at DLA Piper LLP (US) represents a broad mix of high-profile individual artists and organizations from across the entertainment industry in copyright matters, rights of publicity cases and fraud suits.  The team is led by transactions specialist Tom Ara and New York-based sports financing expert Peter White . Seasoned practitioner Michael Garfinkel litigates across the industry; he is currently representing William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in a breach of contract dispute that continues a longstanding working relationship between Garfinkel and the major talent agency. Intellectual property expert Tamany Vinson Bentz takes a keen interest in present-day entertainment issues such as influencer liability and the value of hash tags, representing celebrity  fitness Tracy Anderson in a complex copyright dispute involving copyrighted choreography. Another name to note is Jason Taylor Lueddeke, a resourceful litigator who provides key support to Garfinkel and Bentz.

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.