Lawyers in California

Supplement to the Los Angeles and San Francisco

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 TOP 100 LAWYERS IN CALIFORNIA

CORPORATE CHRISTOPHER D. BREARTON

LATHAM & WATKINS LLP | CENTURY CITY | ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, MEDIA

uch of Brearton’s year has been digital distribution rights to all major NBA shaped by his move — along with games and events, and marks the first time Mfellow honoree Joseph Calabrese the league has granted such expansive rights and a dozen of their colleagues — to a new to a partner outside the U.S. entertainment group at Latham. Brearton said that deal demonstrates the Brearton said the transition was one he strength of the group’s new practice. “When didn’t take lightly, though it doesn’t appear you make a business decision, it’s nice to to have broken his stride. see the validation of the one plus one equals During the move he was in the midst three concept,” Brearton said. of finalizing a $343 million joint venture In the year ahead, Brearton said he’s among Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., very excited to work with a client making Hearst Entertainment Inc. and reality TV waves in virtual reality. “NextVR is really mogul Mark Burnett’s One Three Media & at the absolute cutting edge of something LightWorkers Media. I think can be quite significant,” Brearton “Everything he does turns to gold,” said, adding it’s only a matter of time before Brearton said of Burnett. “To leverage those the technology becomes commonplace, three companies, and those three minds, to allowing consumers to be courtside or front focus on reality, scripted and faith-based row at a sporting event or concert they aren’t [productions] was quite rewarding.” actually able to attend. Brearton also combined his sports “That’s a company I’m spending a lot of expertise with Latham’s presence in Asia time with these days,” Brearton said. “We’re to secure a revolutionary deal between the at the forefront of rights transactions.” NBA and Tencent Holdings Ltd., a Chinese multiyear new media license, reportedly social media and Internet giant. The worth $700 million, gives Tencent exclusive >> Ashley Cullins