Hollywood dealmaker Tom Ara has left law firm DLA Piper after more than six years for a new gig leading Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ L.A.-based entertainment, sports and media practice.
Ara’s practice focuses on domestic and international transactions across entertainment, sports and media, representing clients in M&A and financing transactions including private-equity firms, investors, sovereigns, lenders and borrowers. Additionally, Area has advised entertainment companies worldwide on strategic deals and corporate and commercial transactions, representing billions of dollars of transactions for media properties and major sports media rights, among other 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,” Weil executive partner Barry Wolf said in a statement. Michael J. Aiello, chairman of Weil’s corporate department, added, “Tom is a results-driven lawyer with deep connections and experience advising entertainment and media clients in high-stakes transactions. His contributions will be vital as we focus on unlocking new opportunities for our clients in this dynamic space.”
Tana Ryan, managing partner of Weil’s L.A. office, said about Ara, “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.”
At DLA Piper, Ara was global co-chair of the firm’s media, sport and entertainment group. His clients included Apple TV+, TikTok and Korean video game maker Smilegate Holdings.
“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,” Ara said in a statement. “Joining Weil is a unique opportunity to combine my entertainment, sports and media expertise with the firm’s market-leading private equity capabilities.”
Ara’s joining the firm comes on the heels of Weil’s hiring in February of 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.
variety.com
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