Leader of Manatt Entertainment Lindsay Conner, leader of the firm’s entertainment transactions and finance practice Jordan Bromley, entertainment litigation practice leader Robert Jacobs, Manatt Entertainment senior partners Lee Phillips and Gary Gilbert, and Manatt Entertainment partners Jeff Biederman, Eric Custer, Monika Tashman and Sophia Yen were named in Variety’s 2021 Legal Impact Report. This year’s list recognizes the “legal eagles [that] made an impact in entertainment, helping showbiz artists in their endeavors” working through the pandemic.
In its profile of Conner and Yen, the publication highlights their joint work representing Sony Pictures Entertainment, East West Bank and Beijing-based Perfect World Pictures, as well as their individual representations of CoComelon, AT&T, ITV Studios America, Showtime Entertainment, O2 Filmes, Wavelength Productions, FilmRise, and David Chang’s Majordomo Media. Conner and Yen also discussed the impact that COVID-19 has had on the entertainment industry, with Conner noting that “despite the pandemic, M&A and financing deals in the entertainment industry have come roaring back” due to the involvement of special-purpose acquisition companies and high-net-worth individuals. Similarly, Yen commented on how the pandemic has changed the theatrical distribution models, with leading dealmakers spending “more time considering how deal structures will look if theatrical is skipped.”
In the music group’s profile, Variety highlighted the group’s work advising Steve Perry, Peter Frampton, Jackson Browne, Wynonna Judd, Chuck D and Public Enemy, George Benson, Styx, Death Cab for Cutie, Pat Benatar, Sly Stone, Michael McDonald, Courtney Love, Daniel Lanois, Tracy Chapman, Fall Out Boy, Marshmello, Debbie Harry, and Debbie Gibson. The publication also noted Bromley’s role in securing a comprehensive music industry exemption to California’s AB5. Additionally, Bromley highlighted that “we’re thinking by the third to fourth quarter, it’ll start looking good, then by 2022, it will be like the Roaring ’20s, people are so eager to see live music.”
To see the full Legal Impact Report, click here.