P. John Burke

Partner Emeritus

Areas of Focus

P. John Burke

Partner Emeritus

jburke@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Focused on all aspects of media and entertainment.

John retired from the partnership in late 2020. He has more than forty years of experience advising clients on various aspects of developing, producing, financing and distributing film, television and other projects involving intellectual property, including complex, cross-border equity, debt, and merger and acquisition transactions involving intellectual property assets.

John has extensive experience in structuring co-financing arrangements with major studios, including multi-year slate arrangements, complex distribution agreements, tax-advantaged financing of subsidies, rebates and co-production arrangements around the world.

He also represented major studios and others in the creation and development of a variety of themed attractions, including related retail entertainment complexes.

John’s clients include:

  • Financial institutions
  • Investment banks
  • Private equity and hedge funds
  • Sovereign wealth funds
  • Independent production companies
  • Distributors
  • Family offices.
Representative Work
  • Advised Dune Entertainment, the principal of which was Steven Mnuchin, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, in multiple slate co-financing and distribution arrangements with Fox Film Corporation and Warner Bros. The arrangements include a joint venture for the distribution by the investor group of the studio’s films in China.
  • Represented a Texas based private equity fund in the acquisition of the assets of The Weinstein Company out of bankruptcy.
  • Represented a major, New York-based hedge fund in the acquisition from Citibank, N.A of Class A and Class B shares in the Beverly 1 slate financing facility with Sony Pictures.
  • Represented a sovereign wealth fund in its investments in media and entertainment.
  • Represented a private equity fund specializing in acquiring intellectual property and related revenue streams in multiple transactions over many years.
  • Serves as outside counsel and officer for the American Film Institute, one of the leading film schools in the world.

Education
  • LL.M., New York University School of Law, 1977

  • J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, 1976

Bar Admissions
  • California

Recognitions
  • Chambers USA, California Media & Transactional, Band 1: 2004 to 2019, and Senior Statespeople: 2020.
  • The Legal 500 US, "Leading Lawyer," Media & Entertainment: Transactional, 2017 to 2020.
  • The Hollywood Reporter, “Power Lawyers: Legal Legend,” 2019; “Top 100 Power Lawyers,” 2007 to 2018 and “Top 20 Dealmakers," 2016 and 2018.
  • Variety Magazine, “Legal Impact Report,” 2013 to 2020 and “Dealmakers Impact Report,” 2013 to 2016 and 2018 to 2020.
  • Best Lawyers in America, Entertainment Law—Motion Pictures and Television, 2006 to 2021.
  • Best Lawyers in America, California, 2021.
  • Los Angeles Magazine, “Top Attorneys In Southern California,” 2021
  • Euromoney’s Best of the Best USA Expert Guides, “Top 30 Media Lawyers in the USA,” 2019.
  • Who’s Who Legal, Sports and Entertainment, 2014, 2017 and 2018.
Affiliations and Public Service
  • Officer and corporate counsel, American Film Institute.
  • Member, BAFTA Los Angeles.
  • Member, advisory committee of the UCLA Entertainment Law Symposium.
  • Member, Bel-Air Country Club.

Insights and Achievements

    News | Press Releases

    December 31, 2021

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      Awards & Accolades

      December 31, 2021

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          News | Press Releases

          December 31, 2021

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            Awards & Accolades

            December 31, 2021

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