The recently released Variety Dealmakers Impact Report recognizes eight DLA Piper attorneys for their successful contributions to entertainment deal making in 2020: Tom Ara, Afshin Beyzaee, Scott Bradford, Katherine Imp, David Markman, Ben Mulcahy, Robert Sherman and Alex Steinberg.
Variety called DLA Piper partners Tom Ara, Afshin Beyzaee, David Markman and Robert Sherman, of counsel Scott Bradford, and associate Katherine Imp (all Century City) “a deep bench of talent in film, TV, new media, music, gaming and branded entertainment deals,” including Los Angeles-based animation studio Titmouse’s (“Big Mouth”) new pact with Netflix and MC Credit Partners’ US$100 million film and TV co-financing deal with Great Point Media. Other matters named were TikTok music star Cookiee Kawaii’s US$1 million recording agreement with Empire Music, Concord Music Group’s US$600 million term loan B debt offering and US$450 million revolving-credit facility, talent agency APA’s major non-equity investment from Ron Burkle’s the Yucaipa Companies, and e-sports startup Vindex’s theatrical partnership agreement with Imax. Ara is co-chair of the firm’s Entertainment Transactions and Entertainment Finance practices, alongside Markman, co-chair of the Entertainment Transactions practice, and Sherman, co-chair of the Entertainment Finance practice.
Partner Ben Mulcahy (Century City) was recognized alongside Vindex General Counsel and former DLA Piper partner Gina IIardi for accomplishments including “repping WarnerMedia in aspects of its HBO Max launch [and] Nike in its deal to replace Under Armour as the exclusive on-field uniform supplier for Major League Baseball; and counseling gaming platform Twitch on structuring and activating more than 60 global esports tournaments.”
Of counsel Alex Steinberg (New York) was named to Variety’s “Up Next” list of up-and-coming dealmakers. His recent accomplishments include representing investment firm For Soccer Ventures on corporate, sponsorship and media matters while serving as a team member on advising the Chargers on all matters related to the NFL team’s relocation from San Diego to Los Angeles.
