Manatt senior partner L. Lee Phillips and partners Lindsay Conner and John Gatti have been recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as three of the entertainment industry's most powerful lawyers. The publication's 2014 "Power Lawyers" issue marks Conner's first year on the prestigious list and Phillips' and Gatti's eighth consecutive year - each year since the feature debuted in 2007.
The 2014 list reflects the lawyers' influence over how Hollywood works. From dealing with scandals to helping stars achieve multimillion-dollar paydays, the 2014 power lawyers have had a major impact on how Hollywood goes about its business.
In its profile of Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter notes that Phillips has represented some of the toughest clients in the business, including Barbra Streisand, Brian Wilson, Neil Young and The Eagles. "When it comes to artistic temperament, Lee has been the voice of reason and solution," says client Steve Perry.
The Hollywood Reporter profiled Conner's work for Sony Pictures Entertainment. Conner, who co-chairs the firm's Entertainment and Media practice, helped put together Sony's $200 million co-financing pact with Citigroup and LStar Capital, and he also represented the studio in its $200 million Hemisphere film slate deal. In addition, Conner assisted Michael Eisner in a deal with Netflix for the animated comedy BoJack Horseman, which will be available online this summer.
Since winning Alan Ladd Jr.'s landmark 2007 profit participation lawsuit against Warner Bros., Gatti has been a go-to litigator, says The Hollywood Reporter. Gatti, who co-chairs the firm's Entertainment Litigation practice, prevailed on behalf of his client CBS against claims made by John Wayne's heirs, and he also defended MGM over audit disputes on the Rocky films.
Read the article here.