April 21, 2022

Variety named Century City partners Scott Edelman and Steve Tsoneff, Los Angeles partners Kevin Masuda, Benyamin Ross and Ilissa Samplin, New York partners Brian Ascher and Orin Snyder, and Orange County partner Michelle Gourley in its Legal Impact Report 2022, an annual list of leading entertainment industry lawyers who “win for their clients in court and guide them through industry disruption.” The report was released on April 20, 2022.

Brian Ascher has represented companies and individuals in a wide range of commercial disputes, including through trial, in federal and state courts, and administrative proceedings. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including contracts, profit sharing, trade secrets and other intellectual property litigation.

Scott Edelman, Co-Chairman of Gibson Dunn’s Media, Entertainment and Technology Practice Group, represents several studios, television networks, music companies, production companies and other media-related entities. Recognized as a go-to lawyer for his extensive litigation experience, he is regularly recognized by legal and industry publications for his work.

Michelle Gourley practices general corporate and business law, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and general business counsel. She has significant experience in domestic and international transactions, including acquisitions, mergers, financings and buyout options in numerous sectors.

Kevin Masuda, Co-Chairman of Gibson Dunn’s Media, Entertainment and Technology Practice Group, represents content companies including movie studios and music companies, technology companies, game companies, private equity funds, sports and talent agencies and other clients in various types of business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, restructurings, public and private offerings of securities, licensing agreements, sponsorships and other strategic agreements.

Benyamin Ross, Co-Chairman of Gibson Dunn’s Media, Entertainment and Technology Practice Group, advises corporations, private equity and venture capital firms and high net worth individuals on mergers and acquisitions, takeovers equity investments, joint ventures, restructuring transactions and general commercial agreements . Ben works with clients in a wide range of industries and has extensive experience working with media, entertainment and technology companies.

Ilissa Samplin, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Trade Secrets Practice Group, has represented companies and individuals in the media, entertainment and technology industries in a wide range of litigation before federal and state courts, including including breach of contract, unfair competition, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets.

Orin Snyder, co-chairman of Gibson Dunn’s Global Trial Practice Group, is one of the nation’s leading litigators. He represents both digital and traditional media and entertainment clients, who often seek him out for their corporate betting cases.

Steve Tsoneff has two decades of experience advising content producers, distributors and financiers on a variety of media and entertainment transactions, with a focus on the production, licensing and distribution of audiovisual content and various approaches to funding that content, including single-project, slate, corporate and co-funding operations.