International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced that prominent entertainment, sports and media (ESM) dealmaker Tom Ara has joined the Firm as a partner in the U.S. Private Equity Group to lead the Firm’s ESM practice, based in the Los Angeles office.
Ara’s practice focuses on domestic and international transactions across entertainment, sports and media. He represents a broad range of clients in M&A and financing transactions, including private equity firms, investors, sovereigns, lenders and borrowers. Additionally, he advises entertainment companies worldwide on strategic deals and complex corporate and commercial transactions, handling billions of dollars of transactions for media properties and major sports media rights, among other high-profile deals.
“Tom brings outstanding experience counseling both leading entertainment and media companies as well as private equity firms and other investors in their strategic ESM transactions,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “We are very pleased to welcome him to the Firm.”
“Tom is a results-driven lawyer with deep connections and experience advising entertainment and media clients in high-stakes transactions,” said Michael J. Aiello, Chairman of Weil’s Corporate Department. “His contributions will be vital as we focus on unlocking new opportunities for our clients in this dynamic space.”
“I am very excited to be joining Weil’s top-tier Private Equity Group as the Firm continues to expand its presence in California and in the entertainment, sports and media space generally,” said Ara. “Joining Weil is a unique opportunity to combine my entertainment, sports and media expertise with the Firm’s market-leading private equity capabilities. With Weil’s platform and client relationships, we will build something truly elite as we deepen the Firm’s West Coast footprint. I can’t wait to help shape this next chapter of growth.”
Ara is Chambers ranked and is regularly recognized as a top Entertainment “Power Lawyer” by The Hollywood Reporter and one of the top entertainment business leaders in the global media industry by Variety.
Ara joins Weil from DLA Piper LLP, where he was the Global Co-Chair of the firm’s media, sport and entertainment group.
Ara’s arrival follows quickly on the addition in February of leading sports, media and entertainment lawyer Steve Argeris as a partner in the U.S. Private Equity Group, based in Weil’s Washington, D.C. and New York offices.
“Tom is a widely recognized leader in the industry who has built an impressive practice that demonstrates his strength in connecting private capital and public investors to ESM opportunities,” said Tana Ryan, Managing Partner of Weil’s Los Angeles office. “His leadership will be instrumental in shaping the growth of our ESM practice, guiding clients across film, television, music, publishing and sports transactions while expanding our capabilities in emerging areas like gaming and digital media.”
This news story was originally published on the firm’s website.