International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges announced that prominent entertainment, sports, and media (ESM) dealmaker Tom Ara has joined the firm as a partner in the U.S. Private Equity Group, leading the firm’s ESM practice based in the Los Angeles office.
Ara’s practice focuses on domestic and international deals across entertainment, sports, and media. And he represents a broad range of clients in M&A and financing transactions, such as private equity firms, investors, sovereigns, lenders and borrowers. Additionally, he advises entertainment companies worldwide on strategic deals and complex corporate and commercial transactions, handling transactions worth billions of dollars for media properties and major sports media rights, among other high-profile deals.
Ara joins Weil from DLA Piper, where he was the Global Co-Chair of the firm’s media, sport, and entertainment group. And Ara’s arrival follows quickly on the addition in February of leading sports, media, and entertainment lawyer Steve Argeris as a partner in the U.S. Private Equity Group, based in Weil’s Washington, D.C., and New York offices.
KEY QUOTES:
“Tom brings outstanding experience counseling both leading entertainment and media companies as well as private equity firms and other investors in their strategic ESM transactions. We are very pleased to welcome him to the firm.”
Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf
“Tom is a results-driven lawyer with deep connections and experience advising entertainment and media clients in high-stakes transactions. His contributions will be vital as we focus on unlocking new opportunities for our clients in this dynamic space.”
Michael J. Aiello, Chairman of Weil’s Corporate Department
“I am very excited to be joining Weil’s top-tier Private Equity Group as the Firm continues to expand its presence in California and in the entertainment, sports and media space generally. Joining Weil is a unique opportunity to combine my entertainment, sports and media expertise with the Firm’s market-leading private equity capabilities. With Weil’s platform and client relationships, we will build something truly elite as we deepen the Firm’s West Coast footprint. I can’t wait to help shape this next chapter of growth.”
Tom Ara
“Tom is a widely recognized leader in the industry who has built an impressive practice that demonstrates his strength in connecting private capital and public investors to ESM opportunities. His leadership will be instrumental in shaping the growth of our ESM practice, guiding clients across film, television, music, publishing and sports transactions while expanding our capabilities in emerging areas like gaming and digital media.”
Tana Ryan, Managing Partner of Weil’s Los Angeles office
