* = New to the list
† = Returning after absence
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Tom Ara†
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL
Why he matters Ara now co-chairs DLA Piper's burgeoning L.A.-based entertainment practice after joining the firm in the fall. He quickly found himself involved in the biggest deal of the year: representing Disney in part of its $71 billion deal to acquire most of Fox. He also repped Korean giant CJ Entertainment in a joint venture to exploit one of its most popular television formats.
Favorite place to celebrate a win "Terranea with my wife and two toddlers."
Most overused Hollywood buzzword “Disruption. It's already happened, so let's now figure out how to prosper from it.”
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Karl Austen
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo HARVARD LAW SCHOOL
Why he matters Austen is one of the town's top deal dogs for TV renegotiations, scoring big raises for an army of actors on Game of Thrones, two stars (Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride) of The Walking Dead, Justin Hartley for This Is Us, Jeffrey Wright for Westworld and Finn Wolfhard for Stranger Things. The attorney — whose name recently was upped to second position at his longtime firm — also counts Jude Law and Matt Reeves as clients.
Desert island must-read Anna Karenina by Tolstoy
Favorite place to celebrate a win “At home, with my wife and kids (probably in bed).”
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Jill Basinger
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LAW SCHOOL
Why she matters Although client Russell Simmons made headlines because of #MeToo disputes, typically Basinger resolves workplace sexual misconduct and harassment cases for high-profile clients without anyone ever hearing about them. In 2018, she also was able to pay out more than $2 billion to charities on behalf of late MGM mogul Kirk Kerkorian after quashing estate disputes.
If I wasn't a lawyer, I'd be … "A food critic."
My theme song “Centerfield” by John Fogerty
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Jeff Bernstein*
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject HARVARD LAW SCHOOL
Why he matters Some of Hollywood's fastest-rising stars turn to Bernstein to ink their deals, including longtime client Margot Robbie, who stars in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Jay Roach's Fair and Balanced and is producing and acting in DC's Birds of Prey and Mattel's Barbie. Bernstein also brokered Tessa Thompson's deals for Men in Black: International and Lady and the Tramp.
I never leave the house without my phone, keys and … "A Hydro flask of black coffee."
Favorite place to celebrate a win “Barbados, which has always been a second home to me.”
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Gordon Bobb
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL
Why he matters It's no coincidence that so many of Bobb's clients — Tiffany Haddish, Amandla Stenberg, Pose's Janet Mock and Indya Moore — are women of color. "I did enter this business with the stated purpose to represent those who are underrepresented," he says, crediting partner Nina Shaw, with whom he shares clients Ava DuVernay and Lena Waithe, with recruiting him from corporate law 20 years ago.
My theme song "Brooklyn's Finest" by Jay-Z
If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d be … “A youth basketball coach.”
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Leigh Brecheen*
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
Why she matters Brecheen has found her niche in comedy, repping late-night hosts including Last Week Tonight's John Oliver and Conan O'Brien. This past year, she helped negotiate a major joint venture between O'Brien and TBS that spans television, digital, social and live events. She also crafted Jerry Bruckheimer's substantial overall deal with CBS and set up Iliza Shlesinger's second stand-up special, Elder Millennial, at Netflix.
I never leave the house without my phone, keys and … "An extra polo helmet (you never know)."
Desert island must-read Amor Towles’ next novel.
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Andrew Brettler*
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject BROOKLYN LAW SCHOOL
Why he matters In an ironic twist, Brettler was part of the team representing his partner and mentor, Marty Singer, after Janice Dickinson sued hi