Akin Media, Entertainment & Sports Partners Recognized by L.A. Times as 2026 Banking and Finance Visionaries

Akin media, entertainment & sports practice head Chris Spicer and partners Alissa Miller and Vanessa Roman have once again been named by Los Angeles Times as Banking and Finance Visionaries. The list recognizes their “exemplary leadership, strategic foresight and unwavering commitment to both clients and communities over the past 24 months.” 

The L.A. Times recognizes Chris for handling “high-visibility deals” citing his work on Fifth Third Bank’s $1.1-billion senior secured library credit facility, Fifth Season’s $500-million credit facility refinancing and Alpha Wave Global’s investments, among other significant deals involving independent production companies and major financial institutions.  

Four-time L.A. Times Banking and Finance Visionary Alissa is noted for her leadership as partner-in-charge of the firm’s Los Angeles office and for her work securing project financing for prominent clients such as Netflix and A24. She is credited for her work on behalf of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum handling trademark clearances and her pro-bono work on behalf of nonprofit NextStep Fitness. 

Vanessa, a three-time L.A Times Banking and Finance Visionary, is spotlighted for her work on complex financing and acquisition transactions including East West Bank’s $18-million production loan and Bank of America’s $300-million facility for Miramax Films among other high-profile work. The feature also highlights Vanessa’s impact outside of her client work as a board member of the Female Executives in Media and Entertainment and through her pro bono work with the American Film Institute and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. 

For the full list of 2026 Banking and Finance Visionaries: https://www.latimes.com/b2b/business-visionaries/banking-finance