Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced that Jordan Lichtman has joined the firm in its Los Angeles office as a partner in the Entertainment & Media practice. Lichtman comes to Manatt from O’Melveny & Myers LLP.

Lichtman focuses his practice on all aspects of entertainment and media financing, counseling clients on the full breadth of film, television and video game production processes. He has advised clients on numerous types of transactions, including feature film slate financings and distribution arrangements, library acquisitions, studio co-financing transactions, second lien facilities, bridge financings and asset backed securitizations. Some of his recent representative engagements include representing an independent production company in its co-financing and distribution arrangement with a major Hollywood studio, representing a mezzanine financier in a feature film slate financing with a major European distributor, and representing a hedge fund in connection with all aspects of its financing of a “mini major” studio.

“Jordan’s deep knowledge of entertainment financing further enhances Manatt’s considerable expertise in this arena,” said Lindsay Conner, a partner in the firm’s Entertainment & Media practice, who has negotiated some of the industry’s largest transactions. “The current media environment has challenged the modes of traditional film financing. Our team regularly tackles these matters, crafting creative solutions on behalf of clients both in the U.S. and internationally.”

In November 2011, U.S. News & World Report included Manatt among the nation’s “Best Law Firms,” ranking the firm’s Entertainment practice in Tier 1, the publication’s highest designation, in entertainment law for motion pictures, television and music. Earlier this year Manatt was honored by the Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel with the Law Firm of the Year award. AMEC, the leading trade association serving general counsel and business affairs attorneys at major media and entertainment companies, created the award to honor excellence among law firms, in-house counsel and business affairs executives at major media and entertainment companies.

“Manatt’s reputation as one of the most cutting-edge media and entertainment law firms in the country was a significant factor in my decision to join,” Lichtman said. “The firm’s innovative film finance capabilities and entrepreneurial culture and approach to the practice of law will allow me to more fully serve my clients. I am thrilled to be joining Manatt.”

Manatt’s Entertainment & Media Practice Chair Alan Brunswick added, “Jordan is highly regarded in the industry and his addition perfectly complements Manatt’s full-service entertainment platform. From financing to brand integration and marketing, Manatt’s clients have come to rely on expert counsel at every level of the entertainment life cycle. We are pleased to welcome him to the firm.”

Lichtman received his J.D. from Loyola Law School, cum laude, Order of the Coif, and his B.F.A. from the University of Arizona.

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