From the fate of TikTok to the state of LeBron's tattoo, these A-list attorneys drive deals that shape projects on the screen, stage and beyond.
September 21, 2024 10:00amPublished on September 21, 2024
Illustration by Victor KerlowThe entertainment industry in New York City, just like Los Angeles, has been adjusting to the effects of the post-strike contraction on top of a struggling economy. Still, the 25 attorneys on THR's New York Power Lawyers list have been kept busy helping their clients with negotiating sports rights, inking deals for theater, film and TV, launching clothing lines, taking on behemoths like Google and navigating the legalities of AI. The attorneys on this list were selected for the profile of their clients and the impact of their cases, with input from industry peers and other entertainment stakeholders. Check out their impactful work on headline-making cases and powerhouse talent deals.
Profiles by Alison Brower, Winston Cho, Caitlin Huston, Katie Kilkenny, Etan Vlessing and Alex Weprin
Brooklyn Law School
CORPORATE
Auritt worked as outside general counsel on the U.S. portion of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup, which was held in Long Island. "It was a real thrill to be involved with bringing this global event to the U.S. for the first time as I believe that it represents the beginning of massive growth for cricket's popularity in the U.S. market," he says. And he worked on behalf of clients seeking to license their data for training generative AI systems, a key trend across the industry. "Ethical AI licensing is the only way for copyright owners to be able to control, and to be compensated for, the use of their work as the foundation on which the AI industry is building its services," he says.
Most surprising item on my desk "A woodcut paperweight that my teenage daughter made me with the name of my old band carved into it. The band name cannot be printed in a family magazine."
Northwestern
CORPORATE
There are few stories more impactful in the world of sports right now than the changing ownership landscape. For Bartie, chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher's Sports Transactions Practice, it has made for a very busy year. "The increasing impact of institutional capital and the direction forward with respect to professional sports and sports-adjacent properties is the 'right now' sports business angle to follow," he says.
Power lunch spot "My desk."
My guilty TV pleasure "Any episode of any season of Dateline."
University of Texas
TALENT
Clients Benj Pasek and Justin Paul — newly minted EGOTs after scoring an Emmy for their composition "Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?" from Hulu's Only Murders in the Building — also wrote songs alongside Pharrell Williams for the May 2025 Universal feature Atlantis, inspired by the star's childhood. Berlin saw Shaina Taub notch two Tonys (best book and best score of a musical) for her musical Suffs, and he helped guide breakout Cole Escola's absurdist dark comedy play Oh, Mary! to Broadway.
If I were a TV lawyer, I'd be "Ally McBeal!"
App I can't live without "NYT Games."
Harvard
LITIGATION
Epic Games turned to Bornstein to handle all matters related to antitrust litigation against Google over allegedly anticompetitive conduct in the distribution of mobile apps and the handling of in-app payments. The three-year battle culminated in a verdict against the tech giant that could transform the entire app store economy. Beyond his antitrust work, Bornstein represents Paramount's special committee of the board of directors in litigation concerning the company's proposed merger with Skydance. He's also reportedly representing three Murdoch siblings in their battle with Rupert over the future of his media empire.
Favorite social media "None. Not my thing."
Columbia
CORPORATE
Together with partner Gray Coleman, Casselman represents The Public Theater, Manhattan Theater Club and other nonprofit institutional theaters across the country. She also works with top-tier popular entertainers and media companies making inroads into theater. "I love working with clients that really see what they can do on the live stage as complementary to other media," says Casselman. "It's a unique way of experiencing work."
Most surprising item on my desk "A flashlight/multitool right next to my desk phone — I've never had to fix something with it, but I'm ready if circumstances warrant!"
App I can't live without "The WNYC App — nerd alert."
Harvard
LITIGATION
Cendali played a major role in a precedent-setting decision relating to the copyrightability of tattoos when a jury in April rejected allegations that Take-Two Interactive's use of LeBron James' ink in its games violated the rights of the artist who crafted them. "This was an important case for the entertainment industry in being able to depict people realistically as they choose to look, as well as for tattooed people who expect the right to control their own bodies," she says. She also represents the family of William Styron, the late author of novel Sophie's Choice, in a breach of contract lawsuit over the rights to a stage production of the book.
App I can't live without "The Yankees YES app."
My guilty TV pleasure "Miss Scarlet and the Duke."
NYU
TALENT
As a longtime "trusted adviser" to Oprah Winfrey, Chamlin works across her massive portfolio, from scripted series and specials on weight loss and AI to her launch alongside Dwayne Johnson of the People's Fund of Maui to help victims of 2023's wildfires. Client Glenn Close will star opposite Kim Kardashian in Ryan Murphy's All's Fair on Hulu and in Netflix's Knives Out 3. Chamlin also worked with Andy Cohen on his best-selling Daddy Diaries and his new publishing imprint deal with Crown Books. With his hands in corporate as well as talent deals, "I've always had a really diverse practice, which reflects my restless soul," he says.
App I can't live without "Audible."
Yale
TALENT
Cleary reps emerging comedy talents like Chloé Hilliard, Rekha Shankar and Eagle Witt in the face of unprecedented industry disruption. "Opportunities for talent continue to be somewhat limited, so I am often being called upon by my clients not only to help navigate complex deals, but also to think creatively about developing content that will expand their professional opportunities," Cleary says.
How I celebrate a big win or closing a deal "I go to bed early!"
University of Virginia
CORPORATE
As primary outside counsel for several prestigious nonprofit theaters, Coleman saw the fruits of his labor this past year as a number of new musicals developed across the country, including Hell's Kitchen, Suffs and Water for Elephants, went on to open on Broadway.
Most surprising item on my desk "A small vase illustrating the 'seven ages of man' speech from As You Like It, and a small tambourine used in the original production of Hair."
NYU
TALENT
Within the past year, Davis' client Michael Harriot's book Black AF History made the New York Times best-seller list, and the Kennedy Center announced that her client the Apollo Theater is set to receive one of its namesake honors. But she says the kinds of Hollywood creatives she represents are currently facing obstacles: "We're in an inflection point in the entertainment and media industry. … There are a lot of challenges coming from every direction for creative people."
My song of summer 2024 " 'Not Like Us' by Kendrick Lamar."
Penn
TALENT
Grant represents some of Hollywood's highest-profile players on both coasts, including Spike Lee, Robert De Niro and Lady Gaga. He was behind Ana de Armas' deal on the new Ron Howard movie Eden and Bruce Springsteen's negotiations with Disney for an upcoming documentary and scripted film, and he also advises on business affairs for David Letterman's production shingle Worldwide Pants and former HBO head Richard Plepler's Eden Productions. For Grant's clients, AI is going to be a major area of concern for the next few years: "We spend a lot of time these days stopping people from doing things with our clients' likenesses," he says.
If I were a TV lawyer, I'd be "Jack McCoy from Law & Order."
My song of summer 2024 "Same as 1984 — 'Panama' by Van Halen."
St. John's University
CORPORATE
As a go-to labor and employment lawyer, Hessinger had a ringside seat on industry disruption when advising the AMPTP and the major studios during last year's actors and writers strikes. "It seems I've been saying this my entire 30-plus years in the entertainment industry, but changes in technology and distribution platforms will place pressure on some of the most fundamental frameworks that labor and management have used to divide the pie for several decades," he says.
App I can't live without "Fishbrain."
My song of summer 2024 " 'Saturn' by SZA."
Fordham
CORPORATE
Hill represented the NBA on its massive $76 billion agreements with NBCUniversal, Disney and Amazon. "It is not every day that you get to work on deals of this magnitude that will reshape the business of the media industry and the way fans watch their favorite teams and players," Hill says. But the changing media landscape, and in particular the rise of new forms of bundles, also pose business and legal challenges. "It will be interesting to see how companies navigate those risks in light of market demands."
If I were a TV lawyer, I'd be "Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul."
Columbia
LITIGATION
After Amazon Studios was sued for copyright infringement over the Road House remake by the original film's screenwriter, Hwang led the company in hitting back with counterclaims over the rights to the 1986 screenplay that spawned the movie. The countersuit accused the writer of fraud for lying to the U.S. Copyright Office that he's the true author of the script and can take advantage of a provision in copyright law that allows for the reclamation of the rights to past works. And Hwang has been at the center of some of the buzziest disputes of the Instagram age, representing Condé Nast in its suit against Drake and 21 Savage over their fake Vogue cover to promote their album.
How I celebrate a big win or closing a deal "I tell my preteen daughter, who tells me she doesn't care."
Most surprising item on my desk "A custom mechanical keyboard that's virtually silent when you type."
Cornell
LITIGATION
Linderot is at the forefront of multibillion-dollar First Amendment litigation that might decide the fate of TikTok's U.S. operations. So far, he's obtained a preliminary injunction against Montana's ban of the platform and secured dismissal of Indiana's lawsuit over inappropriate content for children and the security of users' personal information. Up next: Leading the challenge to federal legislation effectively banning TikTok. He says that the entertainment industry will continue to see "governments probing the limits of their power to regulate content delivery, and challenges and opportunities resulting from the increasing overlap between the technology and entertainment industries."
If I were a TV lawyer, I'd be "Matlock."
Favorite social media follow "First Amendment Twitter (for work) and TikTok (for fun)."
Northwestern
TALENT
Along with his colleague, fellow honoree Adam Rosen, Lonner represents Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group. In addition to helping A24 plan an upcoming theater season at the off-Broadway Cherry Lane Theatre, which it purchased in 2023, Lonner represents the Luther Vandross estate, which recently screened a documentary at Sundance and Tribeca.
If I were a TV lawyer, I'd be "Stuart Markowitz (L.A. Law)."
Favorite social media follow "Anything dog- or travel-related."
Southwestern
TALENT
Longtime client Ebon Moss-Bachrach just scored his second Emmy for The Bear and will star as The Thing in Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for July 2025. Mahan also negotiated Isabella Merced's deal to join season two of HBO's The Last of Us, plus her roles in Alien: Romulus and DC's hotly anticipated 2025 Superman. Carrie Coon will join the third season of The White Lotus, and Cynthia Erivo will likely be contending for a best actress Oscar nom for Disney's long-awaited film adaptation of Broadway smash Wicked.
The most surprising item on my desk "Sometimes a sleeping cat."
My guilty TV pleasure "Jeopardy — nerd alert, I know."
Stanford
TALENT
House of the Dragon breakout Milly Alcock, a newer client for Popkin, will be DC's new Supergirl and is also shooting the Netflix limited series Sirens, while Joseph Quinn (Gladiator 2), Nicola Coughlin and Luke Newton (Bridgerton season four), and Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary) also had banner years. Popkin's early career as a professional ballet dancer, which included time as an American Guild of Musical Artists rep, has helped shape her legal work. "I so closely relate to being a performer and how impossible it is to advocate for yourself without being seen as demanding or a diva or difficult," she says. "You really need representatives going to bat for you."
Favorite social media follow "The Dogist. The highest and best use of social media is cute puppies."
Power lunch spot "Frankie's 457 Spuntino, in my Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn neighborhood. Real power is never having to schlep to Midtown."
NYU
TALENT
With colleague Jonathan Lonner, Rosen has been working with A24 on programming for its newly purchased off-Broadway theater, and with Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group on new exploitations of his work, including Amazon's film adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, directed by Jon M. Chu. Rosen represents Elton John for his work writing music on the new musical Tammy Faye.
If I were a TV lawyer, I'd be "Miranda Hobbes."
My favorite social media follow "LizaMinnelliOutlives."
UCLA
TALENT
The broadcast sitcom renaissance has been good to Sandler's clients, with Janelle James blowing up on ABC's Abbott Elementary, and Brandon Scott Jones haunting on CBS' Ghosts. Pete Davidson will appear in Amazon MGM Studios' The Pickup. "When he and I met, it was pre-SNL," Sandler marvels. "Now I just made a deal for him to star with his hero Eddie Murphy."
Power lunch spot "Krav Maga Experts — a different kind of power lunch."
App I can't live without "Chess.com is a love-hate relationship that started during the pandemic, and we're currently taking a break, but I always go back."
Penn
LITIGATION
Stein had a busy year working with clients like Meta and Nintendo, but she has also been cutting deals at the forefront of generative AI. "It is incredibly important to recognize that a lot of partnerships are being forged between content companies and AI companies," Stein says. "I believe this will lead to some interesting and exciting content and media projects, many of which are sure to be pioneering."
Favorite social media follow "My brother, Sam Stein, managing editor of The Bulwark and MSNBC contributor."
My guilty TV pleasure "Right now, I am ripping through Trying on Apple TV. It is so good!"
Penn
LITIGATION
Stillman scored Spotify a major victory in September when a judge ruled that the streaming giant is not on the hook for nearly $40 million in royalty payments sought by Eminem's publishing company, Eight Mile Style, for not having the proper licenses to stream hundreds of songs from the rapper's catalog. Also a part of Stillman's caseload: Defending OpenAI in several copyright infringement lawsuits brought by authors and publishers.
Most surprising item on my desk "Hot sauce."
My song of summer 2024 "'Good Luck Babe' by Chappell Roan."
Cardozo
LITIGATION
When Wendy Williams' court-appointed guardian sued A+E Networks to impede the airing of a documentary on the former talk show host in February, the entertainment brand called on Strom. A temporary restraining order on the project was reversed the next day. "That was a true joy and privilege, kind of the reason that you go to law school doing the work that we love," Strom says. A First Amendment warrior, Strom also this year assisted in getting a copyright lawsuit against Abbott Elementary dismissed and is defending Netflix in a defamation lawsuit brought by former Anna Sorokin pal Rachel DeLoache Williams over her depiction in the docudrama Inventing Anna.
If I were a TV lawyer, I'd be "I wish I could say [Suits'] Jessica Pearson, but probably Miranda Hobbes."
Favorite social media follow "Ellie the Elephant, the New York Liberty mascot and sometimes the only thing that gives me hope in humanity."
Albany Law School
TALENT
In the past year, Williams has brokered a number of high-profile deals for his fashion clients, including for Christie Brinkley's new clothing line TWRHLL, photographer Petra Collins' Nike Air Max DN campaign and Miranda Kerr's brand ambassadorship of Michael Hill Jeweller. He also represents models including Adwoa Aboah and Alessandra Ambrosio, photographers Inez & Vinoodh and Tyler Mitchell, interior designer Nate Berkus and burlesque artist Dita Von Teese.
App I can't live without "Trident Mindset."
Power Lunch Spots "Emilio's Ballato and Manhatta."
Rutgers
LITIGATION
AI expanding or threatening prized photography collections has occupied Wolff in the past year. "I spend much of my time advising clients on best practices in using AI as a tool, helping clients license data sets for AI training and advising clients on the ever-evolving legal landscape around AI content," she says. "In the new era of AI-generated images, and fake news, it's important to preserve our visual history for generations to come."
App I can't live without "NYT Cooking."
This story appeared in the Sept. 19 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
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