From tackling generative AI concerns to landing impressive deals for A-listers, these showbiz attorneys are well-equipped to make award-winning wins for their clients. Meet entertainment’s top dealmakers and litigators in Variety‘s 2024 Legal Impact Report.
For editorial questions, please contact Sharareh Drury at sdrury@variety.com.
Bryan J. Freedman
Founding Partner
Freedman Taitelman + Cooley
Getting the news first, Freedman received calls within an hour of one another early last year to represent Tucker Carlson, who had been dropped by Fox News, and Don Lemon, who had been dropped by CNN. Hollywood’s go-to litigator represents talent agency UTA in its dispute with ex-employee Michael Kassan, ex-Disney chief Bob Cha- pek over his separation, Chris Cuomo from CNN and golfer Brooks Koepka signing with the LIV tour and departing the PGA. Freedman works with unscripted TV stars such as Bethenny Frankel to end alleged workplace abuses in what’s called “reality TV’s reckoning.”
Discretion: Century City-based Freedman finds some plaintiff attorneys too quick to lob bombs, such as going public when targets crave confidentiality. “I’m surprised at how many plaintiff lawyers shoot the hostage and then ask for a ransom later,” Freedman says.
