The Powerhouse Attorneys Shaping the Entertainment Industry's Future

In the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, a select group of legal professionals have emerged as the driving force behind the most impactful deals and groundbreaking cases. From navigating the complexities of sports rights and theater productions to tackling the challenges posed by the rise of AI and the shifting media landscape, these New York-based attorneys are at the forefront of shaping the industry's future.

Guiding the Industry's Transformation

Navigating the Changing Sports Landscape

The sports industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with the increasing influence of institutional capital and the evolving direction of professional sports and sports-adjacent properties. Jared Bartie, the chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher's Sports Transactions Practice, has been at the center of this shifting landscape, representing clients in high-profile ownership changes and complex deals. As he notes, "The increasing impact of institutional capital and the direction forward with respect to professional sports and sports-adjacent properties is the 'right now' sports business angle to follow."Bartie's expertise extends beyond the traditional sports realm, as he has also been involved in the groundbreaking efforts to bring global events, such as the 2024 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup, to the United States. Robert Auritt, an attorney at CDAS, worked as outside general counsel on the U.S. portion of this event, which he believes represents the beginning of a significant growth in cricket's popularity in the American market.

Navigating the Complexities of Theater and Live Entertainment

The live entertainment industry has also faced its share of challenges, with the post-strike contraction and a struggling economy. However, the attorneys on THR's New York Power Lawyers list have been instrumental in navigating these turbulent waters. Carrie Casselman and Gray Coleman of Davis Wright Tremaine have been working closely with prestigious nonprofit theaters, such as The Public Theater and Manhattan Theater Club, to help them navigate the changing landscape and bring new, innovative productions to the stage.Casselman and Coleman's work has paid off, as they have seen the development and opening of several new musicals, including Hell's Kitchen, Suffs, and Water for Elephants, on Broadway. Their efforts have been crucial in ensuring that the live entertainment industry continues to thrive, even in the face of adversity.

Embracing the Rise of AI and Generative Technology

The entertainment industry's transformation has also been driven by the rapid advancements in technology, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative technology. Attorneys like Gary Bornstein of Cravath and Nancy Wolff of CDAS have been at the forefront of navigating the legal implications of these emerging technologies.Bornstein has represented Epic Games in its high-profile antitrust litigation against Google, which could have far-reaching consequences for the entire app store economy. Meanwhile, Wolff has been advising clients on the best practices for using AI as a tool, helping them license data sets for AI training, and navigating the evolving legal landscape around AI-generated content.As Wolff notes, "In the new era of AI-generated images, and fake news, it's important to preserve our visual history for generations to come." The attorneys on this list have been instrumental in ensuring that the entertainment industry can harness the power of these technologies while also protecting the rights and interests of their clients.

Defending Clients in High-Stakes Litigation

The entertainment industry is no stranger to high-stakes litigation, and the attorneys on this list have been at the forefront of some of the most significant legal battles. Dale Cendali of Kirkland & Ellis, for example, played a pivotal role in a precedent-setting decision regarding the copyrightability of tattoos, which has important implications for the industry's ability to depict people realistically.Wook Hwang of Sheppard Mullin has also been involved in some of the buzziest disputes of the Instagram age, representing Condé Nast in its lawsuit against Drake and 21 Savage over their fake Vogue cover. Additionally, Anders Linderot of Covington has been leading the challenge to federal legislation that could effectively ban TikTok in the United States, securing a preliminary injunction against Montana's ban of the platform and obtaining the dismissal of Indiana's lawsuit.These high-profile cases demonstrate the critical role that these attorneys play in protecting the rights and interests of their clients, ensuring that the entertainment industry can continue to thrive in the face of legal challenges.

Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape

The entertainment industry's transformation has also been driven by the changing media landscape, with the rise of new distribution platforms and the increasing impact of technology on traditional business models. Gregory Hessinger of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, a go-to labor and employment lawyer, has had a front-row seat to these disruptions, advising the AMPTP and the major studios during last year's actors and writers strikes.As Hessinger notes, "Changes in technology and distribution platforms will place pressure on some of the most fundamental frameworks that labor and management have used to divide the pie for several decades." Attorneys like Mike Hill of Covington, who represented the NBA in its massive $76 billion media rights agreements, have been instrumental in navigating these complex and rapidly evolving challenges.

Protecting Clients' Interests in the Digital Age

The digital age has also brought new challenges for entertainment industry clients, particularly when it comes to protecting their intellectual property and digital rights. Attorneys like Peter Grant of Grubman Shire, who represents high-profile clients such as Spike Lee, Robert De Niro, and Lady Gaga, have been working to stop the unauthorized use of their clients' likenesses in the age of AI and generative technology.As Grant notes, "We spend a lot of time these days stopping people from doing things with our clients' likenesses." Alli Stillman of Latham & Watkins has also been at the forefront of these battles, defending Spotify in a high-profile royalty dispute with Eminem's publishing company and representing OpenAI in copyright infringement lawsuits brought by authors and publishers.These attorneys have been essential in ensuring that their clients' rights and interests are protected in the ever-changing digital landscape, helping them navigate the complex legal and regulatory challenges that come with the rise of new technologies.

Empowering Talent in a Challenging Industry

The entertainment industry has always been a challenging landscape for talent, and the attorneys on this list have been instrumental in advocating for their clients and helping them navigate the complexities of the industry. Marcie Cleary of Frankfurt Kurnit, for example, represents emerging comedy talents like Chloé Hilliard, Rekha Shankar, and Eagle Witt, helping them navigate the limited opportunities and think creatively about developing new content.Similarly, Lucy Popkin of Goodman Genow, whose background as a professional ballet dancer has shaped her legal work, has been advocating for her clients, including House of the Dragon breakout Milly Alcock, Gladiator 2 star Joseph Quinn, and Abbott Elementary's Chris Perfetti. As Popkin notes, "You really need representatives going to bat for you" in an industry where it can be difficult for performers to advocate for themselves.Other attorneys, like Marc Chamlin of Loeb & Loeb, have been working across a diverse range of clients, from Oprah Winfrey's massive portfolio to Glenn Close and Andy Cohen, helping them navigate the ever-changing industry landscape and capitalize on new opportunities.These attorneys have been essential in empowering their clients, ensuring that they can thrive in an industry that can be challenging and unpredictable, and helping them navigate the complex legal and business challenges that come with being a creative professional.