Three GW Law alumni have made Variety’s annual “Dealmakers Impact Report 2018.” The report recognizes lawyers, executives, financiers, and entrepreneurs who made the most important entertainment industry deals throughout the year. Read more about these alumni who are shaping Hollywood.
Daniel H. Black, JD ‘76
Vice Chairman, Global Entertainment & Media Practice, Greenberg Traurig
After long struggling to connect with elusive millennials, marketers find that branded content via streaming, websites, traditional TV and live events resonates with the youth demographic, Black says. The lawyer observes companies use content to brand “what they do, what their mission is and provide a platform for increasing their profiles, and help develop, communicate and execute business plans.” Black’s clients include hologrammer Base Entertainment, Microsoft for its non-music content initiatives, Pokémon Co. that is producing big-budget movie “Detective Pikachu” with Legendary Entertainment, producer Sonar Entertainment, airline wi-fi company ViaSat, and executive employment contracts with $50 million in guaranteed compensation.
Lawrence Shire, JD ‘82
Partner, Chairman of New Media, Motion Picture, Television, Theater, Publishing and Sports, Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks
Silicon Valley is accustomed to rapid-fire dealmaking, to which Shire advocates “balancing our clients’ desires of wanting to close things quickly, while still making sure that deals are negotiated thoroughly and carefully.” Shire says among the fine points to consider are contingent compensation, exclusivity and rights granted to talent. The New York-based lawyer repped Facebook in content deals with NBA star Stephen Curry, as well as Will Smith and Sofia Vergara; Bruce Springsteen for Broadway; Elton John, including his farewell tour; Lady Gaga for “A Star Is Born”; LeBron James for endorsements and digital; and numerous talent in their digital deals.
Michael Gaspar, JD ‘15
Director of Business and Legal Affairs for Television, Entertainment One
Prior to law school, Gaspar studied painting, and he believes that experience informs his work for eOne. “I understand the personality of artists and their desire to put their own stamp on their work, and I love getting to enable that,” says the Washington, D.C., native, who recently closed deals for two-time Emmy-winner Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson to co-star in the studio’s HBO pilot “Run” and negotiated for the rights to the books “The Lying Game” and “An Anonymous Girl.”
Biographies and headshots appear in Variety’s “Dealmakers Impact Report 2018.”