Manatt’s L. Lee Phillips, a senior partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office, has been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious Power Lawyers list for the fifth consecutive year. The list features 100 of the most prominent attorneys influencing the entertainment industry in high-stake deals and lawsuits.
Phillips, who has been a leader in the music industry for more than 35 years, has appeared in the list’s talent category since its beginning in 2007. Phillips represents major musicians and recording artists, including Barbra Streisand, Tracy Chapman, Steve Perry of Journey, the Eagles, and Neil Young. He’s represented major record companies and focuses his practice on contract negotiations and general legal advising.
“Known for his blue-chip music clients, Phillips hit it big this year with Randy Jackson's new multiyear contract on ‘American Idol’ as well as his MTV show, endorsements and music producing gigs from Hollywood to Russia,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter. “Phillips guided Fran Drescher's return to television with ‘Happily Divorced’ on TV Land and is in protracted negotiations with Sony Music (successor to CBS Records) to determine if longtime client Barbra Streisand will celebrate her 50th anniversary there or look for a new deal.”
The Hollywood Reporter, a multimedia platform serving as the definitive interpretive voice of the entertainment industry, publishes its Power Lawyer list annually. The list canvasses the year’s show business landscape to determine the attorneys behind the biggest deals and cases. Candidates are evaluated against their peers, including other litigators and dealmakers.