Reed Smith LLP issued the following announcement on Apr. 19.
Reed Smith announced that Lawrence Waks has joined the firm’s global Media & Entertainment Industry Group as a partner in the firm’s expanding Dallas and Austin offices. Waks is well-known for his representation of leading entertainment clients, as well as his cutting-edge work on IP- and M&A-related matters in the food and beverage, distilled spirits, consumer products, and media industries. Among his best-known deals, Waks represented George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman in the $1 billion sale of their Casamigos tequila brand to global spirits company Diageo. Ad Age named Waks ‘Attorney to the Stars.’
Waks’ arrival brings to 35 the number of lawyers at Reed Smith in Dallas, which is the firm’s newest office in the U.S. among its 30 worldwide, having opened in May 2019 with 16 lawyers. The firm’s Austin office, opened in 2018, now has 11 lawyers. Waks comes to Reed Smith from the Dallas and Austin offices of Foley & Lardner.
Waks has a wealth of experience in three key areas: Entertainment & Media, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Copyright & Trademarks. He represents numerous celebrities, including sports icons, musicians and rock stars, top Hollywood talent, high net-worth individuals and prominent entrepreneurs.
“Within the entertainment and media group at Reed Smith we aspire to do the best work for the biggest clients. As such, Larry is a perfect fit because he’s an experienced lawyer practicing at the highest level with marquee clients,” said Steve Sessa, Co-Chair of the firm’s Entertainment & Media Industry Group. “Working alongside of a global group of complementary entertainment and media lawyers, the synergies are axiomatic; Larry’s clients will benefit from the deep bench of legal talent at Reed Smith, and the firm will benefit from Larry’s unparalleled experience in corporate entertainment transactions. The entire team is excited about collaborating with Larry and the opportunities which will flow from it.”
“Few if any BigLaw firms have such a significant commitment to their Media & Entertainment Industry Group and all the various constituents that make up that diverse industry,” said Waks. The global platform is a necessity for my clients and the firm’s presence in all the major U.S. cities that are key in the entertainment industry, will be enormously beneficial and I will also be spending time in the firm’s international offices.”
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