Sophia K. Yen
Representing clients in a variety of commercial sectors, Sophia Yen counsels both lenders and borrowers in debt financing transactions. She also advises entertainment industry clients on debt and equity finance deals, as well as other transactional matters.
As lender’s counsel, Sophia advises financial institutions in transactions that include single-lender and syndicated senior-secured, second-lien, mezzanine and unsecured acquisition and working capital loans; cross-border lending transactions; and loan portfolio purchases. She also assists lenders with problem loan workouts, restructurings and foreclosures. When borrower’s counsel, Sophia advises privately and publicly held companies on negotiating loans to finance a variety of corporate needs.
Sophia represents film and television industry clients—as well as financial institutions and hedge funds—in equity and debt finance deals, distribution and licensing deals, and branded entertainment matters. In this sphere, she drafts and negotiates loan agreements, interparty agreements, cofinance agreements, distribution agreements and other ancillary documents.
Sophia also advises independent production companies, high net worth individuals, producers, and other parties who operate in film and television development, production, financing and distribution. In addition, she has experience in film foreclosures, dispute settlements, purchasing distressed entertainment assets, negotiating with the guilds and counseling clients on copromotion deals. She is well-versed in the emerging fields of the entertainment industry and in recognizing for clients the strategic value of the digital media and China entertainment sectors.
Before becoming a lawyer, Sophia was a CPA and financial auditor at Ernst & Young LLP. There, she represented clients in the entertainment, insurance and financial services industries.
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Sophia K. Yen
Representing clients in a variety of commercial sectors, Sophia Yen counsels both lenders and borrowers in debt financing transactions. She also advises entertainment industry clients on debt and equity finance deals, as well as other transactional matters.
As lender’s counsel, Sophia advises financial institutions in transactions that include single-lender and syndicated senior-secured, second-lien, mezzanine and unsecured acquisition and working capital loans; cross-border lending transactions; and loan portfolio purchases. She also assists lenders with problem loan workouts, restructurings and foreclosures. When borrower’s counsel, Sophia advises privately and publicly held companies on negotiating loans to finance a variety of corporate needs.
Sophia represents film and television industry clients—as well as financial institutions and hedge funds—in equity and debt finance deals, distribution and licensing deals, and branded entertainment matters. In this sphere, she drafts and negotiates loan agreements, interparty agreements, cofinance agreements, distribution agreements and other ancillary documents.
Sophia also advises independent production companies, high net worth individuals, producers, and other parties who operate in film and television development, production, financing and distribution. In addition, she has experience in film foreclosures, dispute settlements, purchasing distressed entertainment assets, negotiating with the guilds and counseling clients on copromotion deals. She is well-versed in the emerging fields of the entertainment industry and in recognizing for clients the strategic value of the digital media and China entertainment sectors.
Before becoming a lawyer, Sophia was a CPA and financial auditor at Ernst & Young LLP. There, she represented clients in the entertainment, insurance and financial services industries.
Experience
Entertainment Representations
- Represented FilmRise, one of the largest independently owned AVOD streaming networks, in upsizing FilmRise’s current working capital facility for future entertainment transactions.
- Represented MS Participations S.A. in its financing of Kate Winslet’s upcoming film, Lee.
- Represented Storyteller Productions Limited and MS Participations S.A. in their financing of Michael Mann’s upcoming film, Ferrari.
- Represented Beijing-based Perfect World Pictures in a $500 million, five-year, 50-film slate cofinance agreement with Universal Pictures and its subsequent $250 million credit facility with East West Bank and JPMorgan. The deal was the first-ever direct investment by a Chinese company in the film slate of one of the six “major” Hollywood studios, and remains the largest Chinese investment in a Hollywood film slate ever closed.
- Represented Sony Pictures Entertainment in a $200 million film slate cofinance agreement with LSC Film Corporation, which provided cofinancing for the studio’s slate of feature films for three years.
- Represented Huayi Brothers Media Corp., China’s largest privately held film company, in an 18-film, three-year cofinance and distribution agreement with STX and a loan facility with East West Bank. The deal was one of the first major Chinese investments in Hollywood films to be successfully closed.
- Represented a private equity fund in the acquisition of a major film library.
- Represented Sony Pictures Entertainment in a $200 million film slate cofinance agreement with Hemisphere Capital Management, as well as international distribution agreements related to the cofinance structure.
- Represented a large hedge fund in the restructuring of its mezzanine debt position in a film production company, including rights in film collateral and profits waterfalls from the films.
- Represented the administrative agent and collateral agent in the restructuring of a secured working capital credit facility covering a slate of motion pictures.
- Represented the production lender for numerous single-picture and television projects in various stages of production and distribution.
- Represented a bank with the purchase of a prints and advertising facility from the existing lender.
- Represented an administrative agent in providing a large syndicated secured film library and production credit facilities for a large independent motion picture producer.
- Represented an administrative agent in connection with a secured working capital credit facility for motion pictures to be produced by an independent film and television production and finance company.
Lender Representations
- Represented a capital management company in various investments in an aviation company.
- Represented a lender in revolving and term credit facilities to an upscale blue jeans designer and manufacturer.
- Represented a global investment management organization in multiple mezzanine debt financings.
- Represented the investment subsidiary of an insurance company with a cross-border transaction to provide credit to a seafood distributor.
Borrower Representations
- Represented Blue Vine Capital Inc. in negotiating a $75 million warehouse credit line.
- Represented Stamps.com, a leading provider of Internet-based postage services, in negotiating its credit facilities to finance an all-cash, $215 million acquisition of Endicia from Newell Rubbermaid.
- Represented a large private equity sponsor in multiple debt financings, including (i) the $2 billion acquisition of a leading distributor and processor of metals in North America; (ii) multiple acquisitions of business communications and network solutions companies; and (iii) the asset-based revolving credit facility related to the acquisition of the nation’s largest crane rental company.
- Represented a large private equity sponsor in multiple secured debt financings, including (i) the restructuring of the credit facility for a U.S.-based thrift store chain; (ii) the strategic investment into an airport gift store chain; and (iii) the acquisition of a U.S. fire protection equipment wholesaler.
- Represented a large private equity sponsor in multiple secured debt financings, including (i) the acquisition of a distributor and remanufacturer of transmission parts; and (ii) a strategic investment in a leading provider of public safety software to law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service agencies.
Accomplishments
AMERICAN FILM MARKET (AFM)
- Panelist, “Finance Conference: Film Finance Success - The Producer's Perspective,” American Film Market (AFM), November 1, 2021.
- Panelist, “Pitch Workshop: Discover New Voices,” American Film Market (AFM), November 9, 2020.
SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST FESTIVAL (SXSW)
- Moderator, “Reel Money – The Art of Indie Film Financing,” SXSW 2024, March 9, 2024.
- Speaker, Legal Mentor Session, SXSW 2024, March 9, 2024.
- Speaker, Legal Mentor Session, SXSW 2023, March 13, 2023.
- Panelist, “Funding Your Indie Film: From Short to Feature,” SXSW 2023, Austin, Texas, March 11, 2023.
- Moderator, “Becoming the Change (Agent) You Wish to See,” SXSW 2022, March 16, 2022.
- Speaker, Mentor Session – Distribution (advising on current issues and developments in distribution and distribution options for the film industry), South by Southwest, March 13, 2022.
- Moderator, “Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change,” SXSW 2020, March 15, 2020. (*Official selection, but festival cancelled due to COVID-19)
- Moderator, “Audience Engagement: The New Path to Greenlighting,” SXSW 2018, March 11, 2018.
- Speaker, Mentor Session – Distribution (advising on current issues and developments in distribution and distribution options for the film industry), South by Southwest, March 15, 2015.
SUNDANCE INSTITUTE
- Panelist, “Making the Most of Discovery Meetings,” Sundance Catalyst Forum, September 29, 2023.
- Roundtable Panelist, “Investing for Sustainability,” Sundance Catalyst Forum, September 29, 2023.
- Panelist, “From Catalyst to Commitment,” Sundance Catalyst Forum, September 20, 2022.
- Panelist, “Selling Your Film,” Sundance Catalyst Forum, September 20, 2022.
- Moderator, “Film Financing & Taxes,” Sundance Catalyst Program, June 2, 2022.
- Panelist, “Master Class: Funding Your Fiction Film,” Sundance Collab, November 16, 2021.
- Panelist, “From Catalyst to Commitment,” Sundance Catalyst Forum, September 28, 2021.
- Panelist, “The Independent Film Lawyer” Sundance Institute’s Catalyst program, May 6, 2021.
- Consulting Lawyer, Sundance Institute’s Catalyst Program, 2020 and 2021.
- Special Guest Panelist discussing financing documentaries and small independent films as a kick-off to Sundance Institute’s Catalyst program on co//ab, April 8, 2020.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
- Panel Organizer, “New Frontiers: How Artificial Intelligence Presents New Opportunities (and Risks) for the Entertainment Industry.”
Guest Lecturer, “PROD-439-03, PROD-639-03: Producing Master Class," Loyola Marymount University, November 6, 2023. - Guest Lecturer, “PROD439: Producing Master Class”, Loyola Marymount University, November 18, 2021.
- Panel Organizer, “From Intent to Impact: How Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Make (Necessary) Business Sense, UCLA 45th Annual Entertainment Law Symposium, June 2, 2021.
- Guest Lecturer, “PROD670: Thesis Project II: Feature”, Loyola Marymount University, April 15, 2021.
- Guest Lecturer, “Producing Master Class”, Loyola Marymount University, November 19, 2020.
- Panelist, “International Marketing & Distribution of Film,” USC Marshall School of Business—Business of Entertainment Club, November 5, 2018.
- Panelist, “Recent Trends in Film Financing,” Pepperdine School of Law Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship and Law Symposium, March 23, 2017.
OTHER SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Moderator, “Intro to Equity Financing,” Reel Money – The Art of Indie Financing Summit, Rideback Ranch, CA, October 4, 2024.
- Panelist, “2024 GHJ Entertainment Panel,” Green Hasson Janks event, Los Angeles, CA, November 7, 2024
- Panelist, “Ask Me Anything: Lightning Round with Hollywood's Top Attorneys,” NAB Show, Las Vegas, NV, April 15, 2024.
- Moderator – Keynote Panel, “Exclusive: Hollywood Dealmaking & The Lessons Learned,” Asia TV Forum & Market, December 7, 2023.
- Panelist – Closed Door Session, ATF x TTB Animation Lab, Asia TV Forum & Market, December 6, 2023.
- Panelist, “The Age of AI,” Asia TV Forum & Market, December 5, 2023.
- Speaker, “Legal Issues for Games Businesses,” Digital Media Wire’s Annual LA Games Conference VIP Edition, May 10, 2023.
- Moderator, “Minding the Double Bottom Line - Making Your Dollars Count More When Investing in Film, TV, and other Content,” Winston Baker’s Confluence Summit, October 28, 2021.
- Panelist, “Master Class: How to Become an Expert in Your Field and the Go-To Lawyer with Your Company,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color, September 30, 2020.
- Panelist, “Straight to Streaming Strategies: The Art and Science of Dealmaking with Streamers,” Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum, Los Angeles, CA, February 13, 2020.
- Panelist, "Future of Film Finance Panel," Asian World Film Festival, November 11, 2019.
- Panelist, “Hollywood Deal Making Insiders,” 2019 HLB Asia Pacific Conference, June 19, 2019.
- Panelist, “State of Affairs: A Look at the Current Film Landscape in China,” 3rd Annual Sino-US Culture Summit, November 2, 2018.
- Panelist, "Streaming: The Future of Global Entertainment," Asian World Film Festival, October 26, 2018.
- Moderator, “Because You’re Worth It!: How to Negotiate for Yourself & Other Strategies for Closing the Gender Pay Gap”, Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel, June 28, 2018.
- Panelist, “Box Office vs. Streaming,” Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Asia, Shanghai, China, June 14, 2018.
- Panelist, "Producing Around the Globe," Asian World Film Festival, October 26, 2017.
- Panelist, “The Ruler’s Evolution: The Next Wave of Film Finance Royalty,” Winston Baker’s 8th Annual International Film Finance Forum, Cannes, France, May 19, 2017.
- Panelist, "Film Financing," Asian World Film Festival, October 25, 2016.
- Panelist, “Evolving and Succeeding in the Digital Age,” Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum, Los Angeles, CA, March 1, 2016.
- Panelist, “Television Redefined: Shifting Business Models and New Revenue Streams,” Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum, Los Angeles, CA, March 10, 2015.
- Moderator, "Navigating the World of Co-Financing and Co-Productions," 16th Shanghai International Film Festival - Film Finance Conference, June 16, 2013.
The Hollywood Reporter magazine
- Recognized as a Power Lawyer in the Hollywood Reporter for 2023 and 2024. This prestigious annual report identifies the top 100 legal power brokers in the entertainment industry.
Variety magazine
- Named to Variety’s Power of Women in Hollywood list for 2023. This award recognizes women on the West Coast who have impacted Hollywood and beyond in the past year.
- Profiled in Variety’s “Legal Impact Report” from 2018 to 2024. This prestigious annual report spotlights the top attorneys in the entertainment business.
- Profiled in Variety’s “Dealmakers Impact Report” from 2017 to 2020 and 2022 to 2023. This prestigious annual report identifies key Hollywood dealmakers—corporate strategists, financiers and attorneys—who are making things happen in the entertainment industry.
- Hollywood’s New Leaders: Lawyers, Variety, 2012. The report identifies individuals who will be steering the entertainment industry in the years ahead.
Chambers USA
- Named as a Band 2 leading lawyer in Media & Entertainment: Transactional - California, Chambers USA, 2024.
- Named as a Band 3 leading lawyer in Media & Entertainment: Transactional - California, Chambers USA, 2022–2023.
- Named as an "Up and Coming" leading lawyer in Media & Entertainment: Transactional - California, Chambers USA, 2021.
- Recognized Practitioner for Media & Entertainment: Transactional, Chambers USA, 2019.
The Legal 500 United States
- Named as a leading lawyer in Media and Entertainment: Transactional, 2024
Other
- Entertainment Lawyer of the Year Finalist, The Recorder, 2024
- Honored with the “Dealmaker” award at the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) Radiance Gala, a celebration of API Women & Non-Binary Achievement in Entertainment, March 2024.
- Recipient of the “Woman of Business” award from Comerica Bank Women’s Business Awards, which recognizes a high-achieving woman executive within the Southern California community, December 2018.
Best Lawyers magazine
- Named among The Best Lawyers in America for Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, 2020–2025.
- Named among The Best Lawyers in Southern California for Entertainment Law, 2020.
Super Lawyers magazine
- Named a “Southern California Super Lawyer” for Entertainment & Sports, 2018–2021.
- Named to Top Women Lawyers in Southern California for Entertainment & Sports, 2018.
- Named to Top Women Attorneys in Southern California Rising Star edition, 2013–2015.
- Named to Top 50 Up-and-Coming Women Attorneys in Southern California Rising Stars edition, 2015.
- Named to Top 100 Up-and-Coming Attorneys in Southern California Rising Stars edition, 2015.
- Named a “Southern California Rising Star” for Entertainment & Sports, 2013–2016.
Admitted to practice in California, Massachusetts and New York
Member, UCLA Law Entertainment Symposium Advisory Committee, 2017–present
Member, Asia Society Southern California Advisory Council, 2023–present
Executive Committee Member, Boston University School of Law Alumni Association, 2015–2019
Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel
- Board Member, Women Who Lead Board, 2015
- Vice Chair, Emerging Leaders Board, 2014
- Board Member, Emerging Leaders Board, 2013
Host Committee, Step Up Women’s Network Inspiration Awards, 2012 and 2014
Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in California
Quoted, “As NFTs Spur a Digital Gold Rush, Law Firms Are Getting in on the Action,” The American Lawyer, July 1, 2021.
Quoted, “China’s movie moguls see online video apps as complementary to cinemas,” South China Morning Post, June 15, 2018.
"Sarbanes-Oxley: Following the Private Company Trend of Voluntary Compliance," Annual Review of Banking Law, Vol. 24.
California
Massachusetts
New York
Boston University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2006
Business Organizations and Finance Law Concentration
Executive Editor for Communications, Annual Review of Banking & Financial Law
University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, Bachelor of Science, 2001
Related Practices
Services
Corporate and Finance
Private Equity and Buyout
Venture Capital / Emerging Companies
Fintech
Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement
Digital and Technology Transactions
Family Office
Mergers and Acquisitions
Industries
Manatt Entertainment
Manatt Retail and Consumer Products
Manatt Financial Services
Film, Television and Digital Content
Manatt Digital and Technology
Financial Services Transactions
Metaverse
Artificial Intelligence
Gaming
