Law Firms

Top showbiz team is exiting O'Melveny for Latham

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Not traditionally known for having a top entertainment practice, Latham & Watkins is adding two big-name showbiz attorneys as part of a six-lawyer team from O’Melveny & Myers.

Exiting O’Melveny for Latham are dealmakers Christopher Brearton and Joe Calabrese and four other attorneys, according to the Hollywood Reporter’s Hollywood, Esq. blog. All practice in the Los Angeles area except for one London lawyer.

Meanwhile, O’Melveny has named a new trio of partners as transactional co-heads of the 800-attorney firm’s entertainment, sports and media practice. They are dealmakers Matthew Erramouspe, Stephen Scharf and Bruce Tobey.

“Our clients could not be in better hands than with these three sought-out entertainment lawyers,” said O’Melveny chairman Bradley Butwin in a written statement provided to the Hollywood Reporter.

“Stephen, Matthew, and Bruce, together with our leading entertainment litigators, are furthering a legacy laid down by John O’Melveny, Deane Johnson, Donald Petroni, and others,” Butwin continued. “Today, entertainment companies are facing an expanding global market and a changing digital media landscape, and O’Melveny’s award-winning entertainment lawyers are poised to help them achieve their goals.”

Latham declined the Hollywood Reporter’s request for comment.

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