Three Latham Partners Among 2015 “Top 100 Lawyers in California”

Cutting-edge work on notable corporate transactions, particularly in the entertainment, sports and media and pharmaceutical sectors, has earned recognition for Latham partners Christopher Brearton, Joseph Calabrese and Cary Hyden as 2015 “Top 100 Lawyers in California” in an annual list published by the Daily Journal. 

Brearton, the Deputy Office Managing Partner in Century City, Los Angeles, was acknowledged for his advice to clients in a range of sophisticated transactions that have included a joint venture among MGM, Hearst Entertainment and reality TV mogul Mark Burnett as well as “a revolutionary deal” between the National Basketball Association and Tencent Holdings, China’s leading internet and social media company, in a multi-year new media broadcast license for the exclusive digital distribution rights to all major NBA games and events. 

Calabrese, the Global Chair of the Latham’s Entertainment, Sports & Media practice based in Century City, was cited as “the prominent entertainment dealmaker” with deep industry experience exemplified by his representation of Legendary Entertainment, which he advises on all facets of its motion picture and other businesses, including in connection with a recent $250 million investment by SoftBank and the formation of a new joint venture to exploit television, ancillary and other Intellectual property rights in China and beyond. 

Hyden, a corporate partner in Orange County, was recognized for his role in high-profile M&A deals, especially recent transactions involving pharmaceutical companies and highlighted by advice to Allergan in defending a hostile takeover bid by Valeant Pharmaceuticals and its eventual acquisition by Actavis for $72 billion. The Daily Journal noted: “Hyden continues to be in demand for companies on both sides of hostile bids, and will likely be the go-to attorney in this area for years to come.”