The Hollywood Reporter has selected Manatt senior partner L. Lee Phillips and partners Lindsay Conner and John Gatti to its 2017 “Power Lawyers” feature. The prestigious annual list highlights the top 100 lawyers from across the country who are behind the deals and trials shaping Hollywood entertainment.
In its profile of Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter notes his recently brokered multimillion-dollar pact for Smokey Robinson with Primary Wave Entertainment that includes rights to "My Girl" and "Cruisin.'" The dealmaker also negotiated clothing and eyewear deals for American Idol alum Randy Jackson and orchestrated new publishing deals for Steve Perry and Kenny Loggins. Additionally, Phillips negotiated additional performance dates for Barbra Streisand's recent U.S. tour, which grossed $46 million.
The publication’s profile of Conner, who is co-chair of the firm’s entertainment and media practice, highlighted his critical role connecting Hollywood with major Chinese investors. He represented Tang Media Partners in the first-ever slate co-financing deal in television, a pact between China's Tencent and Stuart Ford's IM Global. Chinese power players Perfect World Pictures, Weying Technology and Huayi Bros. Media Corp. also look to him for guidance.
Gatti, who is co-chair of the firm’s entertainment, sports and media litigation practice, is currently handling a lawsuit that alleges Johnny Depp's former business managers robbed him of tens of millions of dollars through gross mismanagement and outright fraud. For Fox Television, he dealt with a major contractual dispute over the licensing of “The Simpsons,” and he's also going toe-to-toe with Vin Diesel over xXx sequel credits and producer fees.
Read the Power Lawyers feature here.
Read the Top Music Business Attorneys feature here.