DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s advertising group is led out of Los Angeles by Benjamin Ryan Mulcahy, who is a go-to lawyer for sports sponsorship deals. He excels in entertainment marketing deals as well as commercial agreements for the sports sector. The team also advises on branded entertainment and subscription-based streaming. The group's clientele includes professional sports teams, athletes, influencers, celebrities, brands, streaming platforms, and retailers. The New York team, consisting of Stacy Marcus and Michael Isselin, focuses on celebrity endorsements, and influencer and talent agreements. Isselin also advises agencies and advertisers on sports marketing matters. James Stewart aids clients with a wide array of advertising issues including student athletes and influencer agreements, sweepstakes, advertising agreements, and sponsorship agreements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very collaborative team. Breadth of practice areas. The team helps to look for practical but compliant solutions for in-house counsel.’
‘James Stewart and Megan Hynes are excellent associates. James is partner quality for a senior associate and is a great partner for any business. He explains legal issues very clearly.’
‘The group at DLA Piper specializing in advertising and marketing transactional practice has an exceptional ability to provide efficient real world counsel in a way that is digestible to any stakeholder with our global business. They understand our need to make swift decisions on a global scale while taking into consideration local nuances and regional laws while keeping in mind our USA foundation.'
‘This group is practical, jovial, dependable, reasonable, and hard working. They dive in deeper to always fight for what is best for our business. James Stewart is a stand-out resource for us.'
‘They have a unique appreciation for the commercial and creative needs of their clients, which allows their counsel to be of critical importance in navigating legal risks while maintaining creative integrity.’
‘James Stewart is likely the best advertising attorney I have worked with in my 20-year career. He is a true partner and feels equally invested in the success of each project. With James’s wise counsel, my clients are able to make calculated decisions that deliver meaningful results in the marketplace.’
‘This practice distinguishes itself through a rare combination of deep IP expertise and practical, business‑driven judgment. Clients rely on the team because they bring years of specialized experience in licensing, intellectual property strategy, and brand enforcement, allowing them to navigate complex issues with clarity and confidence.'
‘The individuals I work with distinguish themselves through a combination of deep expertise, sound judgment, and a level of collaboration that consistently elevates the quality of our work. What truly sets them apart is not only their technical excellence but also the way they engage—with clarity, humility, and a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes. James Stewart is phenomenal.'
‘Amazing team, proactive and exceptionally quick to react.’
‘The kindness, the focus, the business-oriented approach. Stacy Marcus is a star.’
Key clients
- Ace Hardware Corporation
- AECOM
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
- Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc.
- Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
- Fox Corporation
- Highdive Advertising
- Maximum Effort Marketing (Mountain Digital)
- Paramount Global
- Subway
- TCL Industries Holdings Co. LTD
- The Joint Policy Committee, LLC
- United Entertainment Group
- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
Work highlights
Assisted TCL Industries Holdings Co. with structuring and negotiating its long-term The Olympic Program Partnership Agreement with the IOC and USOPC.
Represented the advertising industry in negotiations against SAG-AFTRA for the $4bn commercials contract.
Represented Fox Entertainment in a strategic agreement with Holywater.
Lawyers
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Next Generation Partners
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Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Benjamin Ryan Mulcahy
Other key lawyers
James Stewart; Megan Hynes; Stacy Marcus; Michael Isselin