Binta Niambi Brown’s work with global icons across sports, music, media and entertainment as well as her extensive experience as a record executive, talent manager and artist advocate deepen Manatt’s work within the creator economy
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, today announced the arrival of Entertainment Partner Binta Niambi Brown in the Firm’s New York office. With extensive experience working across talent management and development, as well as having led a variety of complex high-value transactions, Brown strengthens Manatt’s capabilities within the creator economy and in advising global icon clients on how to build, innovate, expand and protect their businesses and brands.
“Manatt has always been at the forefront of representing creative forces in the sports and entertainment industries, and in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy, clients are increasingly in need of guidance from experienced advisers who understand their businesses and growth opportunities inside and out,” said Manatt CEO and Managing Partner Donna L. Wilson. “Binta’s experience speaks for itself and we’re thrilled for her to join our dynamic Entertainment group and expand our capabilities within sports, which cuts across our platform in areas including transactions, digital media, venture capital and advertising.”
Brown’s practice focuses on representing industry moguls through the gamut of entertainment transactions, deal structuring and other strategic planning, providing both legal and strategic consulting guidance to her clients across sports, music, media, television and film. Drawing on her extensive background managing and supporting global talent, she will play a key role in strengthening Manatt’s capabilities representing clients across these industries and will bring valuable insight and practical guidance to help creators pursue innovative business opportunities.
“Binta has a tremendous reputation as a corporate dealmaker, talent manager and artist advocate, making her incredibly invaluable to talent-side clients who are increasingly building their businesses and taking ownership of their personal brands in today’s exploding creator economy,” said Manatt Entertainment Leader Jordan Bromley. “In 2024, we’re expecting to see continued growth in the space, and Binta is an important addition to our national team as we navigate the opportunities for growth and innovation to come for athletes, musicians, creators and more.”
Prior to joining Manatt, Brown founded omalilly projects, a talent management, development and production company and consultancy working with multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY Award winning musical artists and record producers, award winning New York Times bestselling authors, comedians, screenwriters, and creative entrepreneurs. She was also a founding co-chairman and co-founder of the Black Music Action Coalition, an organization advocating on behalf of Black artists, songwriters, producers and other passionate industry professionals. Additionally, Brown served as Head of Operations and Strategy at a Los Angeles-based record label, as well as a partner at a global law firm where she advised entertainment and media companies in high-value M&A deals, public and private debt and equity offerings, and secured debt financings. As a corporate lawyer, she has structured, negotiated and closed well over $100 billion in transactions.
“Manatt’s model of integrating both legal and consulting services paired with its collaborative and mission driven culture makes it the ideal platform for me to continue growing my practice and helping my clients capitalize on their own success,” Brown said. “I’m thrilled to join this incredible team of professionals as we collectively advise multi-hyphenate global icon clients and assist them with expanding their business platforms and enterprises.”
Brown joins the Firm’s expanding roster of legal and consulting professionals across the Firm’s core practices, including Entertainment (Bill D’Angelo); Health Care (Heide Bajnrauh, Axel Bernabe, Robert (Rob) Fraiman, Seth Frazier, Eric Gold, Paul Irving, Dr. Tracy Johnson, Lauren Polak and Thomas (Tom) Robertson); and Litigation (Justin Wolosz, Randy S. Grossman and Dylan Carson).
Brown received her J.D. from Columbia Law School and her B.A. in political science with honors from Barnard College. She was also a Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and an Executive in Residence for the New Orleans Startup Fund.