Mohit Singh
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Some law firms in Hollywood are more powerful than the studios themselves. They handle the deals that make movies happen and the lawsuits that can end careers. Here are the top firms behind the biggest cases in 2026.
The Litigation Powerhouses
Willkie Farr & Gallagher is the firm everyone is talking about. It represented Blake Lively in her high-profile legal battle against Justin Baldoni. The case generated $60 million in legal fees. The firm’s entertainment litigation practice is now a market leader. Seven Willkie partners made Variety’s Legal Impact Report in 2026.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is a top choice for high-stakes entertainment disputes. Chambers ranks it in Band 1 for litigation in California. The firm handles contract fights, accounting disputes, and intellectual property cases. It also represents major studios and media companies. Brian Ascher at Gibson Dunn secured big wins for AMC Networks in The Walking Dead profit participation case.
Davis Wright Tremaine specializes in First Amendment and media law. Chambers ranks it in Band 1 for entertainment litigation. The firm handles libel cases, privacy disputes, and copyright infringement for writers and producers.
Munger, Tolles & Olson is another Band 1 litigation firm. It represents major film studios, record companies, and trade associations. The firm is known for copyright, profit participation, and antitrust cases.
O’Melveny & Myers has a long history in entertainment litigation. The firm handles contract disputes, defamation cases, and intellectual property fights. It represents both high-profile individuals and major companies.
The Transactional Giants
Latham & Watkins is the top transactional firm in entertainment. Chambers ranks it in Band 1 for media and entertainment transactions. The firm handles the biggest mergers, acquisitions, and financing deals in Hollywood. It represents studios, digital media companies, and financial institutions.
Paul Hastings is also a Band 1 transactional firm. The firm is especially strong in entertainment finance and talent representation. It handles everything from content creation to distribution deals.
Akin is renowned for film and television financing. The firm represents lenders, banks, and investment funds in the entertainment industry. Chambers ranks it in Band 2 for transactional work.
Loeb & Loeb is a respected firm with deep entertainment expertise. Chambers ranks it in Band 3 for transactions and Band 1 for litigation in New York. The firm handles film, television, and music deals, plus guild negotiations.
Key Players and Their Cases
Tamerlin Godley chairs Willkie’s Entertainment Litigation Practice. She led the Blake Lively case and has been named to Variety’s Legal Impact Report six times.
Michael Gottlieb chairs Willkie’s Crisis Management Practice. He also co-chairs the Media & First Amendment Practice. He was named one of Hollywood’s 100 most powerful lawyers by The Hollywood Reporter in 2026.
Alex Weingarten is the managing partner of Willkie’s Los Angeles office. He has been recognized for his work on high-stakes disputes. This is his eighth time on Variety’s Legal Impact Report.
Camille Vasquez of Brown Rudnick gained fame for her role in the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial. She is known for her aggressive cross-examinations.
Sigrid McCawley of Boies Schiller Flexner joined Blake Lively’s legal team in early 2026. She previously represented Jeffrey Epstein’s victims.
Marc Agnifilo, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, and Teny Geragos of Agnifilo Intrater are handling major criminal cases. They secured a partial acquittal for Sean Combs on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. They are now defending Harvey Weinstein in a rape case. Friedman Agnifilo is representing Luigi Mangione in the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting case.
The Business of Entertainment Law
These firms don’t just handle lawsuits. They negotiate billion-dollar deals. They structure complex financing for films and TV shows. They protect intellectual property and navigate guild rules.
The money is staggering. The Lively-Baldoni case generated $60 million in legal fees alone. The actors walked away with nothing. The lawyers walked away rich.
AI is a growing area of focus. Willkie’s transactional lawyers are leading work on AI-related contracts, copyright protection, and licensing. Studios are suing AI companies over copyright infringement. This will be a major battleground in the years ahead.
How to Choose an Entertainment Lawyer
Most people will never need a top-tier entertainment law firm. But if you’re in the industry, here’s what matters:
For talent (actors, writers, directors): Look for firms with strong talent representation. Jackoway Austen and Ziffren Brittenham are known for this.
For studios and production companies: Look for firms with transactional expertise. Latham & Watkins and Paul Hastings are top choices.
For litigation: Look for firms with a track record in entertainment disputes. Gibson Dunn, Davis Wright Tremaine, and Munger Tolles are all Band 1 firms.
For criminal defense: Look for firms with experience in high-profile cases. Agnifilo Intrater is handling some of the biggest criminal cases in entertainment.
Final Verdict
Willkie Farr & Gallagher is the firm to watch in 2026. It’s handling the most high-profile cases and has the most momentum. Gibson Dunn and Latham & Watkins remain the gold standards for litigation and transactional work respectively.
The entertainment industry runs on contracts and lawsuits. These firms are the ones writing the contracts and fighting the lawsuits. If you’re in Hollywood, you want one of them on your side. If you’re not, they’re still worth knowing about. They shape what you watch and how much it costs.
Also Read: Why Celebrity Lawsuits Cost Millions: Lessons From Recent Hollywood Cases