Spicer, Román Griffith Named Among THR Top Dealmakers for 2020

(Los Angeles) – For its fifth annual dealmakers list, spotlighting the “people who kept on their toes to keep the entertainment industry on its feet” during a year marked by the pandemic, The Hollywood Reporter has selected among its honorees Akin Gump entertainment practice head Chris Spicer and partner Marissa Román Griffith.

In its profile of the two partners, THR noted that Ms. Román Griffith and Mr. Spicer tallied more than $1 billion in deals between them last year.

Mr. Spicer is quoted as saying, “Across the board, all of our investor clients and producer clients are keeping us busy in their transactions involving streamers [streaming services, e.g., Netflix and HBO Max].” He is noted as having represented Endeavor Content in financings for Apple and Hulu series, as well as multiple bank clients, including Comerica, East West and MUFG Union Bank, in loan facilities.

Ms. Román Griffith is noted as setting up Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine media company with a new credit facility, counseling JPMorgan in its dealings with Amblin Partners and representing Portfolio Funding Company in managing the nearly 200-title film library acquired from The Weinstein Co.

Last year, both Mr. Spicer and Ms. Román Griffith were named to The Hollywood Reporter’s “Power Lawyers” list. (Learn more here.)

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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