Daily Journal Names John Burke a Top Entertainment Attorney for 2014
(Los Angeles) – Akin Gump corporate partner and entertainment and media practice head P. John Burke has been named by Daily Journal as one of the Top Entertainment Attorneys in 2014.
The publication’s profile of Burke spotlighted two recent deals: his representation of Dune Capital Partners as it bought out much of Elliott Management’s stake in Relativity Media, and his representation of RatPac-Dune Entertainment in a multiyear agreement with Warner Bros. Pictures. Burke said the latter deal, which helped cofinance as many as 75 releases, including marquee titles such as The Lego Movie and Gravity, was particularly significant after the financial crisis had reduced investor appetite for slate financing deals. He said that the deal and increased bank lending for entertainment projects bode well for the industry, adding, “It further confirms that the entertainment business is viewed as a strong industry.”
Burke was quoted on how he views the fact that many of the deals on which he works have a cross-border component: “Anytime you are dealing with cross-border transactions you're also dealing with cultural differences. It makes it more interesting.” He also noted what he enjoys about his job: “I like the characters and the pop culture aspect of this work. That's really what the entertainment industry is all about.”
In the last 12 months, Burke and his achievements have been recognized by Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Who’s Who Legal, Chambers USA and Best Lawyers.
Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 attorneys in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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