North America - United States • Media, technology and telecoms
Paul Hastings LLP
Leveraging its international network, Paul Hastings LLP‘s entertainment and media group caters to a diverse clientele which includes high-profile individuals, independent content companies, banks, talent agencies, and private equity investors. The team’s comprehensive range of services encompasses advice on significant M&A deals as well as on acquisition and project financings. The practice recruited entertainment investment and acquisitions specialist Ken Deutsch from Latham & Watkins LLP in June 2023. Deutsch now co-chairs the practice group alongside Erik Hyman, who is well-regarded for his ability to advise non-entertainment companies on their television industry strategies. Other key figures within the practice include Susan Williams, who is noted for her role in sophisticated entertainment-related capital market transactions as well as in licensing and distribution agreements, and Mickey Mayerson, who offers clients expertise in single-picture financings, securitization transactions, and joint ventures involving entertainment industry companies. Additionally, the practice benefits from the expertise of David Hernand, who specializes in studio and streaming-services acquisitions, and Sean Monroe, whose proficiency lies in sports industry matters. Craig Emanuel retired from the practice in September 2023. All lawyers mentioned are based in Los Angeles.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- About-Face
- Aristocrat Leisure Limited
- AT&T
- Celebrands
- First Street Entertainment LLC
- Fox Corporation
- Golem Creations, LLC
- HYBE
- Imperative Entertainment
- Macro Media
- Motion Picture Corporation of America
- Midcap Financial
- National Amusements Inc.
- New Republic Holdings, LLC
- News Corp. Ltd.
- QCode
- Paramount Global
- Stampede Entertainment
- The Friedkin Group, Inc.
- Tribune Entertainment
- Tyler Perry Studios
- Vine Alternative Investments
- Walmart
- Warner Bros. Discovery
- WES Brands LLC
- 30WEST
- 777 Partners
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ken Deutsch is Global Co-Chair of the Entertainment and Media practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Century City office. He represents a broad array of operating entities in the entertainment and media industries, including film and television studios, streaming platforms, and independent media companies, advising on their most significant corporate transactions as well as on a variety of film, television, and other commercial ventures. Mr. Deutsch also routinely represents financial institutions, investment funds, high-net-worth individuals, and other media and content financiers in evaluating and executing on investment and acquisition opportunities in the entertainment space. He has particular experience in structuring complex equity and debt financings, content funds, and strategic joint venture arrangements. Mr. Deutsch, who has been referred to as a “Hollywood Heavyweight” by The American Lawyer, is recognized as one of the few Band 1 leading lawyers for Media & Entertainment: Transactional in California by Chambers USA, where clients note that he is “deeply knowledgeable” with a “fantastic ability to handle complex transactions.” He is also recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” for Media and Entertainment: Transactional by The Legal 500 US and is routinely recognized by a number of industry publications, including Variety’s “Hollywood’s New Leaders,” “Dealmaker Impact Report,” and “Legal Impact Report,” and The Hollywood Report’s “Power Lawyers.”
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ken Deutsch, Erik Hyman