United States • Media, technology and telecoms
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Media and entertainment: transactional

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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is a California-based entertainment, sports and media group with clients ranging from production companies and studios to music, gaming and sports companies. Structuring and negotiating mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and financing transactions are all key areas of the practice. The team also assists with joint ventures, sweat equity partnerships and brand ambassador deals. Entertainment specialists Alan Epstein, and Andrew Kramer all jointly lead the Los Angeles team. Epstein handles transactions for private and public companies as well as represents production companies, celebrities and content creators in business activities. Fohrman leads on music and digital media matters, assisting with complex music publishing agreements, licensing deals and joint ventures. Kramer is the go-to for project finance, acquisitions and global distribution of content for entertainment and film companies.
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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Top flight firm. Great attitude, communication and results. Team is well built and well-seasoned ’

  • ‘Sidney Fohrman is a legend in the making. Solid team leader and mentor. Always communicates which is always welcome ’

  • ‘We look for deep industry expertise and market knowledge, and this firm is a truly excellent full service law firm which services all our media needs.’

  • ‘Steve Hurdle is very commercial with an excellent understanding of the media industry. Wonderfully responsive and an absolute pleasure to deal with ’

  • ‘The people that we have worked with have been understanding and helpful in every way possible ’

  • ‘The team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher has particular subject matter expertise, understands what's important to in house counsel, and how to advise in a business-friendly way. They understand and appreciate the unique challenges we face as in-house legal leaders and provide practical advice. ’

  • ‘Sidney Fohrman is excellent. He understands the landscape, and go above and beyond to ensure I have what I need as their client. He is also just outstanding and the kind of person that you want to be around and can trust. ’

Key clients

  • Create Music Group
  • Brillstein Entertainment Partners
  • Ryan Reynolds / Maximum Effort
  • Pharrell Williams
  • Hyphenate Media Group
  • Shamrock Capital Advisors
  • Sister Holdings Limited
  • Spyglass Media Group
  • North Road Company
  • BMG

Work highlights

  • Advised Create Music Group on a $165m investment by Flexpoint Ford.
  • Represented Brillstein Entertainment Partners in its sale to Wasserman Media Group.
  • Represented Ryan Reynolds as part owner of Mint Mobile in connection with T-Mobile’s acquisition of Mint Mobile and one other brand.

Lawyers

Practice head

Alan Epstein; Andrew Kramer

Other key lawyers

Steve Hurdle; Thomas Baxter