P. John Burke focuses on media finance, with an emphasis on motion picture transactions. He heads the firm’s entertainment practice.
Mr. Burke advises financial institutions, investment banks, studios, equity and hedge funds, independent production companies, distributors and high-net-worth individuals on various aspects of financing film, television and other projects involving intellectual properties. He has extensive experience advising clients with respect to film slate financings, distribution agreements, tax-advantaged financing, subsidies and co-production arrangements in various countries throughout the world. He has also represented major studios and others in the creation, acquisition and development of various themed attractions, including related retail entertainment complexes.
Mr. Burke serves as an officer of and corporate counsel to the American Film Institute and as co-chair of the advisory committee of the UCLA Entertainment Law Symposium. He has served as a member of the advisory board of the AFI International Film Festival and the board of directors of the Japan America Society. He is a member of the Commercial Law & Bankruptcy and Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law Sections of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Entertainment Law Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. He has been a speaker at many industry events, including the UCLA Entertainment Law Symposium, the American Film Market and the Cannes Film Festival.
Mr. Burke received his B.A. in 1973 from the University of Southern California, his J.D. in 1976 from the Southwestern University School of Law and his LL.M. in taxation in 1977 from the New York University School of Law. He is a member of the California Bar.
Mr. Burke is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2004-2011) and The Hollywood Reporter's “Top 100 Power Lawyers” (2007-2011). The Hollywood Reporter also listed him as one of the “20 movers and shakers you've got to meet at AFM” (2009). He is listed in Daily Variety's “Hollywood Law Impact List” (2007), The Best Lawyers in America (2006-2012), named as one of “America's Top 25 Pre-Eminent Practitioners” in the Best of the Best 2011 Expert Guides, listed in Los Angeles Business Journal “Who's Who in Law” (2010) and included as one of Marquis Who’s Who leading legal professionals in the “Who's Who in American Law 2011-2012 (17th Edition)”. In November 2010, he was named a finalist for The M&A Advisor's 9th Annual M&A Advisor Awards.