Tom Ara

A seasoned dealmaker, Tom has led multibillion-dollar cross-border transactions—including acquisitions, joint ventures and financings—across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His deep industry expertise spans film, television, gaming, and digital media, with a focus on high-profile intellectual property, content distribution, and strategic investments.

His practice combines sophisticated deal-making with industry-specific insights, particularly in structuring investments and partnerships in high-growth markets.

Select Experience:

• Caryn Mandabach Productions in connection with its sale to Banijay UK, including the acquisition of all rights to the “Peaky Blinders” franchise
• Bytedance/TikTok in connection with multiple key strategic and commercial initiatives
• Coral Tree Partners in its acquisition of a minority stake in Innovative Artists
• Walt Disney Co. on key matters related to its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21^st Century Fox
• Coupang Play in connection with its acquisition of exclusive live sports broadcasting rights to Premier League, Major League Baseball and FIBA
• Smilegate on multiple significant investments into US-based game studios, including That’s No Moon and Absurd Ventures
• Goldman Sachs in connection with its $2 billion acquisition of Alliance Atlantis Communications
• CJ ENM in connection with key co-financing and commercial transactions relating to some of its most valuable intellectual property rights
• Creative Artists Agency on key M&A and strategic matters
• Annapurna Games in its acquisition of South African video game development studio 24 Bit
• Raven Capital Management in connection with its acquisition of Exclusive Media Group
• Major Hollywood studios and independent production companies in connection with multiple motion picture slate co-financing arrangements

*Matters noted above include those handled prior to joining Weil.

Tom has been named among Variety’s Top 500 global media leaders (alongside industry icons like Oprah Winfrey and Bob Iger), recognized as a top dealmaker by Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter and the Los Angeles Times, and consistently ranked by Chambers USA and The Legal 500. Major financial and industry publications and outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Financial Times and CGTN, frequently seek his insights on market trends.

Tom serves on the Blackhouse Foundation Board, is a trustee of the US-Asia Institute, is a member of the UCLA Entertainment Symposium Advisory Committee and the USC Institute on Entertainment Law and Business organizing committee and is the Editor-in-Chief of LA Lawyer Magazine’s Entertainment Law Issue.

Prior to joining Weil, Tom was the Global Co-Chair of the media, sports and entertainment practice at another leading international law firm. His practice blends legal acumen with industry foresight, making him a sought-after advisor in high-stakes transactions.