NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES, July 7, 2025: International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced today that prominent entertainment, sports and media (ESM) lawyer David Markman has joined the Firm as a partner in its Technology & IP Transactions practice, based in the Los Angeles office.

David has a broad practice guiding entertainment leaders, traditional production companies and new media clients in all aspects of their business activities. He advises on entertainment transactions from project acquisition and financing to distribution and sales, and serves as production counsel, negotiating on behalf of production entities with above and below-the-line talent, bond companies and banks for film and television projects. He also represents writers, actors, directors, producers and showrunners in the television, film and new media industries.

“We’re delighted to welcome David to the Firm as we accelerate our focus on the entertainment, sports and media transactions space,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “David is a top-notch practitioner who has guided some of the industry’s biggest names in headline-making deals, and he will be a perfect fit with our growing team.”

“David brings in-depth experience advising clients in ESM transactions of all kinds, including traditional film, music and sports as well as gaming, digital media, publishing, hospitality and entertainment experiences,” said Michael J. Aiello, Chairman of Weil’s Corporate Department. “He will be an integral part of the buildout of our ESM capabilities.”

“As we expand our presence in California, now is the ideal time for Weil to build on its traditional strength in private equity, M&A and intellectual property by adding top-notch ESM talent,” said Charan Sandhu, Head of Weil’s Technology & IP Transactions practice. “David will add further depth to our dynamic platform and broaden our service offerings for ESM clients.”

David was recently recognized, once again, as a leading ESM dealmaker by Variety in both its “2024 Legal Impact Report” and its “Dealmakers 2024 Report,” which highlight the top attorneys in the entertainment industry.

David joins Weil from DLA Piper LLP where he was co-chair of that firm’s entertainment transactions practice. His arrival quickly follows Tom Ara’s June 4 move to Weil, also from DLA Piper LLP, as a partner in the U.S. Private Equity Group and leader of the Firm's ESM practice. In February, ESM dealmaker Steve Argeris joined Weil from Hogan Lovells as a partner in the U.S. Private Equity Group, based in Weil’s Washington, D.C. and New York offices.

“David brings a builder’s mindset and tremendous energy to our growing practice here in California,” said Tana Ryan, Managing Partner of Weil’s Los Angeles office.  “He will be an instant value-add to our growing roster of clients in the ESM space across the entire platform.”

“I’m thrilled to join the Firm and reunite with my former colleague Tom Ara at this exciting time,” David said. “Weil’s focus on building a top-notch ESM practice that provides clients with elite, market-leading expertise is an enormous opportunity – I cannot wait to get started.”

About Weil’s Los Angeles Office

While the Firm has been a key player in Silicon Valley for more than three decades, the opening of the Firm’s Los Angeles office demonstrates Weil’s commitment to serving the needs of its current and future clients across all of the Firm’s practice areas in this critical market. Powered by Weil’s premier Private Equity Group, Weil’s Los Angeles office counsels private equity funds, as well as public and private companies in a wide variety of corporate transactions across a multitude of industries, including ESM, software and technology; energy, infrastructure, and transportation; financial and business services; healthcare; industrials and manufacturing; and consumer and retail products.

About Weil’s Technology & IP Transactions Practice

Attorneys in Weil’s Technology & IP Transactions Practice Group spend 100% of their time on technology and intellectual property transactions—a distinguishing feature of Weil. Our lawyers are true business partners with our clients, offering not only sound and pragmatic legal advice but also a deep understanding of their technology. Our group has extensive experience in all major sectors including media and entertainment, healthcare, life sciences, retail, consumer products, telecom and technology including computers and semiconductors, among others.

About Weil

Founded in 1931, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has been a preeminent provider of legal services for more than 90 years. With approximately 1,200 lawyers in offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in the marketplace and a first-mover in the establishment of many significant practice areas. The Firm’s four departments, Corporate, Litigation, Restructuring, and Tax, Executive Compensation & Benefits, and more than two dozen practice groups are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective fields.