Nine LLS alumni are noted for their starring roles in the field
LMU Loyola Law School’s alumni are perennially represented among the top entertainment attorneys and supporting law firms in Hollywood. In Variety’s prestigious Legal Impact Report for 2020, nine LLS alumni are noted for their starring roles in the field. These entertainment law experts negotiated massive deals and litigated contentious disputes for industry clients, studios and networks over the last year.
- Joseph Mannis '71, Hersh Mannis LLP
Standout recent cases include handling post-separation financial matters for a major international celebrity whose share of assets exceeded $100 million, and a multimillion-dollar child support and palimony case for an NBA star.
- Zia F. Modabber '88, Katten
Music-focused, Modabber leads the litigation trio based in the firm’s Century City office. He defended the Michael Jackson estate in a class-action suit over vocals and music producer Quincy Jones’ bid to share royalties; in May, a California appeals court drastically reduced the amount of money a jury had previously awarded Jones. Modabber also represented Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor in various matters.
- Tom Ara '99, DLA Piper
“I like to view our team as an entertainment law practice for the next generation,” says Ara. “We have a mix of young, diverse and experienced attorneys that creates a unique practice, and we’re growing very fast.”
- Ashley Silver '14, Brecheen et al
Silver handles talent in traditional Hollywood and influencers — often working licensing, endorsements, joint venture and co-branding deals.
- Amanda Taber '16, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Taber represents Michael Bolton, live event producer FiveCurrents, NFL/NFL Network in music matters, MGM for music administration and iconic producer and musician T Bone Burnett.
- Shaun Clark '96, Sheppard Mullin LLP
Clark’s deals from the past year include everything from the launch of Spotify’s podcast division to Creative Wealth Media’s financing of “Bombshell.”
- Barbara Rubin '78, Glaser Weil LLP
Rubin represents production companies and talent in film, television and digital media, and recently worked on deals for executive producer Jeff Melvoin (AMC Networks/BBC America’s “Killing Eve”) and Martin Sheen (Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie”). “Television series profit participants are auditing more readily these days, hoping that the audit will yield hidden treasure,” the Century City-based attorney says. “However, what would be more effective is to have their entertainment attorney engage an auditor at the beginning of the process, prior to signing. Removing landmines before they explode may be costly at the outset, but it’s a more effective way to maximize profits,” Rubin adds.
- Russell Weiss '94, Sidley Austin LLP
Weiss handles transactions and strategic advice. His clients include City National Bank, J.P. Morgan and 20th Century Fox. He points out that “initially TV and streaming were viewed as separate media, but have been converging and are becoming indistinguishable to the consumer.”
- Amy Siegel '05, O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Siegel advised Epson for a Shaquille O’Neal endorsement, and Bron for co-financing and distribution. Siegel says tech giants barging into digital media need “to define their brand and who they are going to be to differentiated from.”