As a seasoned attorney with a passion for litigation, I find myself deeply impressed by the work of Cardozo, a legal powerhouse who navigates the complex world of entertainment law with grace and tenacity. With a knack for First Amendment cases and an unwavering commitment to justice, Cardozo’s work on Wendy Williams’ court-appointed guardian case was nothing short of extraordinary.
As a gamer in New York City, I’ve noticed that the local entertainment industry, much like its counterpart in LA, has been adapting to challenges posed by the aftermath of the strike and an unstable economy. Yet, the 25 lawyers on THR‘s New York Power Lawyers list have remained busy. They’ve been assisting their clients with sports rights negotiations, sealing deals for theater, film, and TV productions, launching fashion lines, dealing with tech giants like Google, and navigating the complexities of AI law. These lawyers were chosen not only for the prestige of their clients but also for the influence their cases have had in the industry, as recognized by peers and other entertainment stakeholders. Take a look at their impressive work on high-profile cases and groundbreaking talent deals.
The profiles were created by Alison Brower, Winston Cho, Caitlin Huston, Katie Kilkenny, Etan Vlessing, and Alex Weprin.
Robert Auritt (CDAS)
Brooklyn Law School
CORPORATE
Auritt served as an external legal advisor for the U.S. part of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup hosted in Long Island. He found it incredibly exciting to contribute to bringing this worldwide event to the U.S. for the first time, as he feels it signals the start of a significant surge in cricket’s popularity in the American market. Moreover, he handled projects involving clients looking to grant licenses for their data to be utilized in developing AI systems, a growing trend within the industry. According to him, ethical licensing of AI is essential for copyright holders to have control over and receive compensation for the use of their work, as it serves as the basis for the development of AI services.
One unexpected item on my workstation is a handcrafted paperweight, made by my teenage daughter. She etched the name of an old band I was part of onto it, a title that wouldn’t be suitable for publication in a family-oriented magazine.
Jared Bartie (Willkie Farr)
Northwestern
CORPORATE
As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the shifting tides in the sports world, particularly the evolving ownership landscape. This year has been quite bustling for Bartie, head of Willkie Farr & Gallagher’s Sports Transactions Practice, as these changes have kept him on his toes. The growing influence of institutional capital and the future trajectory of professional sports and related properties are the hot topics in sports business currently – it’s where the action is!
Power lunch spot “My desk.”
My guilty TV pleasure “Any episode of any season of Dateline.”
David Berlin (Schreck Rose)
University of Texas
TALENT
Benjamin Pasek and Justin Paul, who recently earned the coveted EGOT title following their Emmy win for the composition “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” from Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building”, also collaborated with Pharrell Williams on songs for the Universal film “Atlantis” set to release in May 2025, inspired by his childhood memories. Shaina Taub, meanwhile, won two Tonys (for best book and best score of a musical) for her production “Suffs”. Additionally, she played a role in helping the offbeat dark comedy play “Oh, Mary!” from breakout artist Cole Escola make its way to Broadway.
If I were a TV lawyer, I’d be “Ally McBeal!”
App I can’t live without “NYT Games.”
Gary Bornstein (Cravath)
Harvard
LITIGATION
Epic Games sought assistance from Bornstein for all antitrust disputes against Google, alleging anti-competitive practices in mobile app distribution and in-app payment systems. This prolonged legal conflict spanning three years concluded with a ruling against the tech company, which could potentially reshape the entire app store market. Beyond his work on antitrust matters, Bornstein is also representing Paramount’s board of directors’ special committee in a lawsuit regarding their proposed merger with Skydance. Additionally, he is said to be representing three Murdoch siblings in their dispute with Rupert over the future direction of his media conglomerate.
Favorite social media “None. Not my thing.”
Carrie Casselman (Davis Wright Tremaine)
Columbia
CORPORATE
Alongside partner Gray Coleman, Casselman handles The Public Theater, Manhattan Theater Club, and various non-profit theaters nationwide, in addition to collaborating with prominent entertainers and media firms exploring theater. As she stated, “I enjoy working with clients who recognize the stage as a complementary platform for their work, offering a distinct form of engagement.
The most unexpected item on my desk is a multi-purpose tool like a flashlight, sitting close to the telephone. So far, I haven’t needed to use it for repairs, but it’s there, handy in case of emergencies!
App I can’t live without “The WNYC App — nerd alert.”
Dale Cendali (Kirkland & Ellis)
Harvard
LITIGATION
Cendali played a major role in a precedent-setting decision relating to the copyrightability of tattoos when a jury in April rejected allegations that Take-Two Interactive’s use of LeBron James’ ink in its games violated the rights of the artist who crafted them. “This was an important case for the entertainment industry in being able to depict people realistically as they choose to look, as well as for tattooed people who expect the right to control their own bodies,” she says. She also represents the family of William Styron, the late author of novel Sophie’s Choice, in a breach of contract lawsuit over the rights to a stage production of the book.
App I can’t live without “The Yankees YES app.”
My guilty TV pleasure “Miss Scarlet and the Duke.”
Marc Chamlin (Loeb & Loeb)
NYU
TALENT
For several years, Chamlin has served as Oprah Winfrey’s reliable counselor, managing her expansive business empire that spans various fields such as scripted series on topics like weight loss and artificial intelligence, special projects, and even charitable endeavors like the People’s Fund of Maui established with Dwayne Johnson to aid victims of 2023’s wildfires. Actress Glenn Close is set to appear alongside Kim Kardashian in Ryan Murphy’s Hulu production titled “All’s Fair” and Netflix’s upcoming movie “Knives Out 3”. Chamlin also collaborated with Andy Cohen on his successful memoir “Daddy Diaries” and a publishing imprint agreement with Crown Books. With a mix of corporate and talent deals, he notes that his practice has always been quite diverse, reflecting his dynamic nature.
App I can’t live without “Audible.”
Marcie Cleary (Frankfurt Kurnit)
Yale
TALENT
Clear rep Chloé Hilliard, Rekha Shankar, and Eagle Witt, rising comedy stars, despite the unforeseen challenges disrupting the industry. “Despite the constraints on opportunities for talent, I frequently find myself advising my clients not just to handle intricate deals, but also to brainstorm innovative content ideas that can broaden their professional horizons,” Cleary explains.
How I celebrate a big win or closing a deal “I go to bed early!”
Gray Coleman (Davis Wright Tremaine)
University of Virginia
CORPORATE
As the main external attorney for several esteemed non-profit theaters, Coleman witnessed the culmination of his efforts last year as numerous new musical productions, such as “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Suffs,” and “Water for Elephants,” moved from development stages to opening on Broadway.
The most unexpected items on my desk are a miniature vase depicting the ‘seven stages of man’ from “As You Like It”, and a compact tambourine that was part of the original stage performance of “Hair”.
Lisa Davis (Frankfurt Kurnit)
NYU
TALENT
Over the last 12 months, Davis’ client Michael Harriot’s book “Black AF History” has made it onto the New York Times Best-Seller list, and the Apollo Theater, another of her clients, was announced to receive one of the Kennedy Center’s prestigious honors. However, she points out that creatives in Hollywood are currently encountering hurdles: “We’re at a turning point in the entertainment and media sector. Creatives are facing numerous obstacles from all sides.
My song of summer 2024 “ ‘Not Like Us’ by Kendrick Lamar.”
Peter Grant (Grubman Shire)
Penn
TALENT
Grant represents some of Hollywood’s highest-profile players on both coasts, including Spike Lee, Robert De Niro and Lady Gaga. He was behind Ana de Armas’ deal on the new Ron Howard movie Eden and Bruce Springsteen’s negotiations with Disney for an upcoming documentary and scripted film, and he also advises on business affairs for David Letterman’s production shingle Worldwide Pants and former HBO head Richard Plepler’s Eden Productions. For Grant’s clients, AI is going to be a major area of concern for the next few years: “We spend a lot of time these days stopping people from doing things with our clients’ likenesses,” he says.
If I were a TV lawyer, I’d be “Jack McCoy from Law & Order.”
My song of summer 2024 “Same as 1984 — ‘Panama’ by Van Halen.”
Gregory Hessinger (Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp)
St. John’s University
CORPORATE
As a prominent attorney specializing in labor and employment law within the entertainment industry, Hessinger was an eyewitness to the upheaval caused by technological advancements and shifting distribution platforms during the recent actors and writers strikes at the AMPTP and major studios. Reflecting on his 30-plus years of experience, he notes that the evolution of technology and media platforms will undoubtedly strain traditional structures used by both labor and management to distribute profits for many years.
App I can’t live without “Fishbrain.”
My song of summer 2024 “ ‘Saturn’ by SZA.”
Mike Hill (Covington)
Fordham
CORPORATE
hill played a crucial role in negotiating the NBA’s massive deals worth $76 billion with NBCUniversal, Disney, and Amazon. As he puts it, “Not every day does one get to work on agreements of such colossal scale that are set to redefine the media industry and alter how sports enthusiasts consume their favorite teams and athletes.” However, these shifting trends in the media sector, especially the emergence of alternative bundle packages, also present complex business and legal hurdles. “It’ll be intriguing to observe how these corporations manage these risks while meeting market demands,” Hill remarks.
If I were a TV lawyer, I’d be “Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul.”
Wook Hwang (Sheppard Mullin)
Columbia
LITIGATION
Following a copyright infringement lawsuit filed against Amazon Studios regarding the remake of “Road House,” Hwang initiated a counterattack by asserting legal claims over the 1986 screenplay that originated the movie. The countersuit alleges that the writer committed fraud by falsely claiming to the U.S. Copyright Office that he was the true author of the script, thereby allowing him to exploit a provision in copyright law that enables the reclaiming of rights to previous works. Notably, Hwang has been at the forefront of some of the most talked-about disputes during the Instagram era, acting on behalf of Condé Nast in its lawsuit against Drake and 21 Savage for their misleading use of a Vogue cover as part of their album promotion.
“I share with my pre-teen child, who claims indifference, how I rejoice over a major victory or successful deal closure.”
“The most unexpected item on my workstation is a quiet, custom-made mechanical keyboard.”
Anders Linderot (Covington)
Cornell
LITIGATION
Linderot is spearheading significant legal battles concerning TikTok’s U.S. operations, worth billions, under the First Amendment. He has already secured a preliminary injunction against Montana’s ban of the platform and dismissed Indiana’s lawsuit regarding inappropriate content for minors and user data security concerns. His next move is to lead the resistance against federal legislation that could effectively ban TikTok. Linderot predicts that governments will continue to test the boundaries of their power when it comes to regulating content delivery, and the entertainment industry can expect more challenges and opportunities as technology and entertainment industries increasingly intersect.
If I were a TV lawyer, I’d be “Matlock.”
Favorite social media follow “First Amendment Twitter (for work) and TikTok (for fun).”
Jonathan Lonner (Grubman Shire)
Northwestern
TALENT
Together with his fellow honoree Adam Rosen, Lonner is part of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group. In addition to assisting A24 in organizing their upcoming off-Broadway season at the Cherry Lane Theatre (purchased in 2023), Lonner also manages the Luther Vandross estate, which has recently showcased a documentary at both the Sundance and Tribeca film festivals.
If I were a TV lawyer, I’d be “Stuart Markowitz (L.A. Law).”
Favorite social media follow “Anything dog- or travel-related.”
Michael Mahan (Peikoff Mahan)
Southwestern
TALENT
Veteran actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach has won his second Emmy for the show “The Bear” and is set to play The Thing in Marvel’s upcoming movie, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, due July 2025. Additionally, our agency secured a deal for Isabella Merced to appear in season two of HBO’s “The Last of Us”, as well as roles in the films “Alien: Romulus” and DC’s eagerly anticipated 2025 release, “Superman”. Carrie Coon is joining the third season of “The White Lotus”, while Cynthia Erivo is expected to compete for an Oscar nomination for her role in Disney’s highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway hit, “Wicked”.
The most surprising item on my desk “Sometimes a sleeping cat.”
My guilty TV pleasure “Jeopardy — nerd alert, I know.”
Lucy Popkin (Goodman Genow)
Stanford
TALENT
House of the Dragon breakout Milly Alcock, a newer client for Popkin, will be DC’s new Supergirl and is also shooting the Netflix limited series Sirens, while Joseph Quinn (Gladiator 2), Nicola Coughlin and Luke Newton (Bridgerton season four), and Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary) also had banner years. Popkin’s early career as a professional ballet dancer, which included time as an American Guild of Musical Artists rep, has helped shape her legal work. “I so closely relate to being a performer and how impossible it is to advocate for yourself without being seen as demanding or a diva or difficult,” she says. “You really need representatives going to bat for you.”
“My preferred social media account I adore is ‘The Dogist’. To my mind, the ultimate purpose of social media is sharing heart-melting images of adorable pups.”>
A popular choice for influential gatherings in my Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn neighborhood is “Frankie’s 457 Spuntino.” The true essence of power lies in not needing to commute to Midtown.
Adam Rosen (Grubman Shire)
NYU
TALENT
Alongside colleague Jonathan Lonner, Rosen has been collaborating with A24 on the programming of their recently acquired off-Broadway theater, as well as teaming up with The Really Useful Group of Andrew Lloyd Webber for fresh adaptations of his works. One such project is the upcoming film adaptation of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat“, directed by Jon M. Chu on Amazon. Rosen serves as Elton John’s representative in composing music for the new musical “Tammy Faye“.
If I were a TV lawyer, I’d be “Miranda Hobbes.”
My favorite social media follow “LizaMinnelliOutlives.”
Josh Sandler (Granderson Des Rochers)
UCLA
TALENT
The resurgence of television sitcoms has been beneficial for Sandler’s talent roster. Notably, Janelle James has gained prominence on ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” and Brandon Scott Jones has left an impression on CBS’ “Ghosts.” Pete Davidson is set to feature in Amazon MGM Studios’ “The Pickup.” Sandler reflects, “When we first met, it was before his stint on SNL. Now, I’ve secured a deal for him to star alongside his idol, Eddie Murphy.
Power lunch spot “Krav Maga Experts — a different kind of power lunch.”
“I’ve found myself inexplicably drawn to Chess.com since the onset of the pandemic. Right now, we’re on a brief hiatus, but it’s only a matter of time before I’m back.”
Alison Stein (Jenner & Block)
Penn
LITIGATION
Last year, Stein found herself quite occupied, collaborating with firms such as Meta and Nintendo. Yet, she’s also been actively negotiating agreements in the innovative sphere of generative AI. “It’s crucial to acknowledge that numerous alliances are being established between content providers and AI companies,” Stein notes. “I am convinced that these collaborations will spawn some intriguing and captivating projects in the realm of content and media, many of which will pave the way as pioneers.
Preferred social media pick: ‘My sibling, Sam Stein, serving as the managing editor at The Bulwark and a contributing member on MSNBC.’
My guilty TV pleasure “Right now, I am ripping through Trying on Apple TV. It is so good!”
Alli Stillman (Latham & Watkins)
Penn
LITIGATION
Stillman scored Spotify a major victory in September when a judge ruled that the streaming giant is not on the hook for nearly $40 million in royalty payments sought by Eminem’s publishing company, Eight Mile Style, for not having the proper licenses to stream hundreds of songs from the rapper’s catalog. Also a part of Stillman’s caseload: Defending OpenAI in several copyright infringement lawsuits brought by authors and publishers.
Most surprising item on my desk “Hot sauce.”
My song of summer 2024 “‘Good Luck Babe’ by Chappell Roan.”
Rachel Strom (Davis Wright Tremaine)
Cardozo
LITIGATION
Initially, when Wendy Williams’ court-assigned attorney filed a lawsuit against A+E Networks to prevent the broadcast of a documentary about the ex-talk show host in February, A+E called upon Strom. The next day, the temporary injunction on the project was lifted. “It was an incredible experience and honor, essentially the motivation for studying law,” Strom remarks. Known as a champion of the First Amendment, Strom also helped dismiss a copyright lawsuit against ‘Abbott Elementary’ this year and is currently defending Netflix in a defamation lawsuit initiated by Rachel DeLoache Williams, a former friend of Anna Sorokin, over her portrayal in the dramatized documentary ‘Inventing Anna’.
If I were a TV lawyer, I’d likely resemble Jessica Pearson from the show ‘Suits’, though perhaps more aptly, I would be Miranda Hobbes.
As a gamer, one account I can’t help but adore is Ellie the Elephant, the lively mascot of the New York Liberty. On tough days, she’s often the beacon that helps me find a glimmer of optimism about our shared human experience.
Michael Williams (Frankfurt Kurnit)
Albany Law School
TALENT
Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate enough to secure some major partnerships for my clients in the fashion world. From Christie Brinkley’s fresh TWRHLL clothing line, Petra Collins’ Nike Air Max DN campaign, and Miranda Kerr’s collaboration with Michael Hill Jeweller as their brand ambassador, I’ve been a part of some exciting projects. I also represent talents like Adwoa Aboah, Alessandra Ambrosio, the photography duo Inez & Vinoodh, Tyler Mitchell, interior designer Nate Berkus, and the captivating burlesque artist Dita Von Teese.
App I can’t live without “Trident Mindset.”
Power Lunch Spots “Emilio’s Ballato and Manhatta.”
Nancy Wolff (CDAS)
Rutgers
LITIGATION
AI expanding or threatening prized photography collections has occupied Wolff in the past year. “I spend much of my time advising clients on best practices in using AI as a tool, helping clients license data sets for AI training and advising clients on the ever-evolving legal landscape around AI content,” she says. “In the new era of AI-generated images, and fake news, it’s important to preserve our visual history for generations to come.”
App I can’t live without “NYT Cooking.”
“This tale was published in the September 19th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. If you’d like to stay updated, consider subscribing by clicking here.
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2024-09-21 20:25