Today’s industry power brokers are a younger breed who are leaving their mark on an ever more complex entertainment scene


Daniel Aloni


Age:

37

Title:

Partner

Firm:

United Talent Agency

Personal:

Engaged to be married this winter Earned bachelor of art’s degree in economics and political science from the UC, Berkeley in 1987 Plays golf, tennis and likes to travel Raises money for the United Jewish Federation.

Accomplishments:

Represents 25 movie directors Landed deals for Nick Cassavetes (“Blow” and upcoming “John Q” with Denzel Washington), Christopher Nolan (“Memento” and upcoming “Insomnia,” with Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank), Dean Parisot (“Galaxy Quest,” developing “Scared Guys,” a Robert De Niro vehicle) Secured additional $45 million in two days from Spyglass Entertainment (“The Sixth Sense”) for “Dragonfly” after Universal Pictures would only invest $25 million Expected to be called upon to help negotiate a new contract for the Directors Guild of America next year.

Buzz:

Spent four years as an investment banker with the Goldman Sachs Group and J.P. Morgan & Co. Inc. before moving from New York to L.A. in 1991 Began as an assistant to agents at UTA, taking a salary cut from $120,000 to $18,000 Now pulling in seven figures Highly motivated Works 12 to 16 hours per day Never takes ‘No’ for an answer but knows when to back off Banking experience makes him an expert in securing financial backing for movies Made one of the firm’s more rapid climbs to partner, taking only six years Loves helping turn a little-known client into an A-list talent “The industry never stops changing so you never get bored,” said Aloni. “I get to put together a deal and move on to the next one.”

David Greenberg

Joseph K. Berchtold


Age:


Title:

Principal

Firm:

McKinsey & Co.

Personal:

B.A. in economics from Pomona College MBA from Harvard Business School Married; one daughter Born in Seattle, raised in Rolling Hills, currently lives in Manhattan Beach.

Accomplishments:

Launched “digital initiative” at McKinsey 18 months ago Since then, has spent more than $10 million researching consumer demand for various digital media Result is what may be the richest database on consumers’ media-consuming habits and their attitudes toward emerging technologies Has the ear of top executives at Hollywood studios, production companies, tech firms and other media-related outfits Developed data-swapping relationship with Liberty Digital “We share studies we’ve done with Joe, and they share with us some research they’ve done. We help each other, challenge each other,” says Liberty Digital CEO Lee Masters.

Buzz:

Becoming hot adviser as a result of Hollywood’s determination to avoid being Napsterized Dot-com meltdown has made media industry more receptive to Berchtold’s emphasis on identifying paths to profitability Stresses need for any new content-delivery system to be “easy for consumers to access, compelling for them to use and reasonably priced.” If not, consumers will find illegal way of getting content Helps media executives find answer to key question “Do we invest in an unprofitable emerging field to be ahead of the curve, or do we wait until it reaches profit-producing critical mass?” Prefers low profile, in keeping with McKinsey’s buttoned-down culture emphasizing firm-wide accomplishments over individual consultants in the spotlight.

Michael Stremfel

Hillary Bibicoff


Age:

35

Title:


Firm:

Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman Machtinger & Kinsella LLP

Personal:

Marina del Rey resident was born in the Valley A UCLA undergraduate, she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life even after getting a full scholarship to Loyola Law School Divorced, no children Plays golf but “isn’t too good at it” Hangs out with many of her clients Recently organized a 40- to 50-person women’s networking group for those in the entertainment industry.

Accomplishments:

Started as corporate securities attorney at now-dissolved Cooper Epstein & Hurewitz Began practicing entertainment law when she was hired as head of legal affairs at Live entertainment, now Artisan Entertainment… Representing “Titanic” director James Cameron on his latest film, “Ghosts of the Abyss” On the actor side, does deals for Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty and Elaine May Represented actor Rip Torn in his role in “Men in Black 2” Represented estates of Harpo and Chico Marx in the latest film about the life of the Marx brothers Worked on promotional deal with Magic Johnson and Cindy Crawford for 24-Hour Fitness

Buzz:

Drawn to law because it was based on analysis, not memorization, which she says is not her forte Considers herself a problem solver Is available at all times to her clients “I’m very responsible, but I’m not a workaholic,” she says “If you need me, I’ll be available, but I’m not going to work on the weekend just because I need to work” Rick Olshansky, head of television business affairs at Endeavor says: “She’s easy to work with, fun to work with and makes herself available when there’s issues to be discussed.”

Amanda Bronstad

Christopher Brearton


Age:

31

Title:

Associate

Firm:

O’Melveny & Meyers LLP

Personal:

Received undergraduate degree from University of Georgia Returned to East for law school Originally planned on going to New York to practice J.D. University of Virginia After graduating, returned to entertainment law and the West Has taken up surfing in his spare time Married, no children.

Accomplishments:

Spent three years with KPMG as senior accountant and financial consultant Worked in information, communications and entertainment practice group Represented European Film producer in raising $200 million in German tax-advantaged equity. Resulted in four-year, 10 picture production/distribution deal with major U.S. distributor Represented Liberty Digital in 50 percent acquisition of Game Show Network from Sony Assisted major U.S. studio in raising $400 million in off-balance sheet financing.

Buzz:

Enjoys entertainment deals because it marries his legal and accounting backgrounds Says he most enjoys putting together financing for independent producers. “You have a guy with an idea and you help him build a company to make movies, that’s some of the highest valued work to me” Says he enjoys O’Melveny because of the day-to-day contact with lawyers doing creative financing in other industries “If I were on my own, it would be much more difficult to do this type of work.”

Conor Dougherty

Steven Brookman


Age:

42

Title:

Partner

Firm:

Bloom, Hergott, Diemer and Cook

Personal:

Born in North Caldwell, N.J. Married with two daughters, 3 and 8 Received bachelor’s degree in political science from Colgate University and JD from UC Berkeley Twin brother Stewart also entertainment lawyer Participated in competitive tennis and skiing in his younger years… Brookman credits athletic training in part for his and his brother’s success “Just like when we played doubles together, we’re competitive and focused,” he says “Did I add charming?”

Accomplishments:

With firm founder Jake Bloom, represented producer Mark Canton’s firm in its deal with German entertainment giant Senator Entertainment AG to fund 20 to 30 films over a five-year period Declines to name some of the bigger clients he works with at Bloom, Hergott, but among those he has helped get started are ex-Raider Howie Long, actor Rick Yune (“The Fast and the Furious”) and actress Leslie Stefanson (“The General’s Daughter”).

Buzz:

Works hard to develop relationships with a wide circle of agents, managers and lawyers… Two-thirds of his practice is devoted to representing actors, with the rest divided among writers, directors and producers… Made partner at Bloom, Hergott in less than 10 years “Steven’s unique for a young lawyer in that he sees dealmaking in terms of the bigger picture,” said one production company executive. “He has an ability of making people happy and making relationships stronger.”

Darrell Satzman

Stewart Brookman


Age:


Title:


Firm:

Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman & Warren;

Personal:

Born in North Caldwell, N.J., hometown of “The Sopranos.”… Married with two children, daughter, 8 and son, 4… Twin brother Steven also entertainment lawyer Received bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University and law degree from UC Berkeley… Participated in competitive tennis and skiing in his youth Enjoys sports and spending time with his family.

Accomplishments:

Represents large roster of foreign finance and distribution companies in equity and co-financing deals … Joined firm six months ago… Corporate clients include Senator Entertainment, Alliance Atlantis and FilmFour in Britain Previously represented Spelling Films and a number of independent production companies in financing deals.

Buzz:

“The one characteristic that has been critical to his success is energy,” says one Hollywood lawyer.” “He will work something through until he understands it thoroughly and he’ll get the deal done.” … Brought on as partner at Hansen, Jacobson after leaving Weissman, Wolff, Bergman, Coleman, Silverman & Holmes earlier this year Of his brother, Steven, Stewart Brookman says “we have a very close relationship. Even though we work for competing firms, it’s not competitive. We support each other completely.”… The head of a local investment banking firm says that “both the Brookmans are bright and very personable and they’re out in the community forging relationships with young talent, agents and studio executives.

Sean Carey


Age:

33

Title:

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development

Firm:

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Personal:

Originally from Rochester, N.Y. B.S. Television, Radio and Film/Finance Syracuse University ’89 Went to California on a school-related networking trip as a senior in college Returned to the West directly after graduation received M.B.A. from UCLA in ’93 Marina del Rey resident Married, two daughters, aged four and two.

Accomplishments:

Started off in Creative Artists Agency mail room Moved up to corporate consulting and business side Stayed at CAA for a year-and-a-half Now at Sony Pictures, he is responsible for corporate transactions and financing Led a team of lawyers and Sony executives in structuring deal to sell 50 percent of Game Show Network to Liberty Digital. Recently led a team that obtained $400 million in third-party debt and equity financing to acquire international film distribution rights Fund has already been used to acquire international rights to major U.S. films Is heavily involved in any major transaction at SPE.

Buzz:

“I didn’t think I’d be a very good agent. I knew I’d be better on the business side. For me, valuing a company is much easier than valuing a piece of creative material,” he says He has an ’emotional attachment” to film deals but is content to look for attractive ways to finance motion picture production Says dealmaking is intellectually stimulating “Deals attract a certain type of individual, rarely are the parties involved not intelligent and driven that dynamic makes it interesting.”

Warren Dern


Age:

37

Title:

Partner

Firm:

Nelson Felker Levine & Dern

Personal:

B.A. UCLA ’86 J.D. Southwestern University Son of prominent entertainment lawyer Dixon Dern Began career as chef for several restaurants in the L.A. area Sherman Oaks resident… Married, no kids, three dogs… Just celebrated two-year anniversary.

Accomplishments:

Recently represented director Chris Koch (“Snow Day”) in deal for MGM comedy “A Guy Thing” Helped negotiate development and production deal for director Spike Jonze (“Being John Malkovich”) with Propaganda Films for features and TV projects Represented Gore Verbinski (“The Mexican”) to develop and direct psychological thriller with Julia Roberts Firm clients include David Duchovny, Brendan Fraser, Hilary Swank, Vin Diesel, director Rod Lurie (“The Contender”).

Buzz:

Was co-owner of the Java Caf & #233; on Beverly Boulevard for several years Left restaurant business for law Originally thought of pursuing international law but says his father’s influence led him to Hollywood Started career at father’s firm Moved on in 1995 Prefers director deals “I like helping clients put their movies together. It’s challenging and creative, and I personally enjoy that advisory role. Unlike most people, I like being in the service business,” he says . Friends say he’s very picky about whom he spends time with. They say he’s more than just a quick-hit dealmaker, that he’s interested in every aspect of a client’s business.

Conor Dougherty

Clark Hallre

n

Age:

40

Title:

Vice President

Firm:

Entertainment Industries Group, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Personal

: Born in Kingfisher, Okla. … Received bachelor’s degree in finance accounting, accounting and economics from Oklahoma State University… Moved to Los Angeles in 1985 single, no kids spends most weekends at home in Palm Desert.

Accomplishments:

Helped raise $1 billion for Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen in launching DreamWorks SKG in the mid-1990s… As DreamWorks’ financier of choice, Hallren negotiated numerous deals for the studio, including a $76 million lease for its Glendale animation facility and a $540 million film security pact… He advised Credit Lyonnais on its sale of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer… Other clients include Warner Bros. subsidiary Castle Rock Films, Hallmark Entertainment, House of Blues, Savoy Pictures and Revolution Studios Average deal is $200 million and J.P. Morgan’s entertainment group typically does about $1 billion to $1.5 billion in financing deals each year.

Buzz:

“I have a little DreamWorks tattoo. It’s probably more like a brand,” jokes Hallren Started as an analyst at Chase Securities and worked his way to No. 2 position in what became J.P. Morgan’s entertainment practice… “He had no sense of what this business was when he started out,” says his boss, managing director John Miller. “But he’s developed a very good working knowledge of the business.”… Among his numerous deals for DreamWorks, Hallren handled the sale of what had been David Geffen’s personal Gulf Stream jet to the company. “He’s somebody who definitely understands the entertainment business and can translate that to other bankers,” says one high-ranking studio executive. “He’s definitely a great resource to have on your side.”

Darrell Satzman

Larry Lewis


Age:

29

Title:


Firm:

Gerard Klauer Mattison & Co.

Personal:

Son of a lumber salesman Portland, Ore. native, moved to L.A when he was 13 Got his undergraduate economics degree at UCLA Married, with two daughters, aged 3 years and 4 months Avid basketball player Resident of Stevenson Ranch.

Accomplishments:

Worked on the public offering of Blockbuster while at ING Barings (where he was in the merchant banking group and later the media and entertainment group) Started the entertainment media consulting group at GKM about eight months ago with Ronald Silverman and Dave Merritt Does strategic advisory services and capital raising for companies “one step down” in size from Disney Conducted an economic impact analysis of proposals in negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in recent labor action Works with Vancouver-based Peace Arch Entertainment Group, a television production and finance company, and Big Idea Productions Inc., the animated content designer of “VeggieTales” Recently signed Global Crossing to help the company market its network bandwidth for media and entertainment use.

Buzz: Says he enjoys entertainment because of its “openness to sheer ability. There’s no necessity for pedigree or where you came from; it’s driven by what you do.” Soft spoken; GKM managing director Dave Merritt calls him “mild-mannered almost bookish in a good sense, like a college professor” Unassuming character helps him relate to people and put himself in his clients’ shoes (he attributes his personable side to his dad) … “He has the Midwestern affability and charm,” Merritt says of Lewis.

Robert Moore


Age:

39

Title:


Firm:

Revolution Studios

Personal:

Born in La Mirada Received bachelor’s degree in business from Pepperdine University… Married with three boys, aged 4, 6 and 9… Lives in Pacific Palisades… Huge sports fan, golfer and dedicated fantasy football player.

Accomplishments:

Spent three years as an accountant at Arthur Andersen & Co. before going to Walt Disney Co. Rose through the ranks from senior financial analyst to executive vice president and chief financial officer of Walt Disney Studios Sat across from Bob and Harvey Weinstein as they hashed out details of Disney’s buyout of Miramax Films…. Negotiated a five-picture co-financing deal between Disney and Steve Jobs’ Pixar Animation Studios… Spearheaded the launch of Walt Disney Theatrical Production With founder Joe Roth, raised $250 million in equity and $3 billion in financing commitments to get Revolution Studios off the ground.

Buzz:

Two weeks before Moore announced he would leave Disney, Michael Eisner called him “the best executive I’ve ever had.” Roth agreed Moore was the first person hired at Revolution “He knows the industry cold and he’s very sophisticated in his dealmaking,” says a financier with a major investment firm who has worked with Moore…. “Disney was a giant company and you spend a lot of the time in meetings overseeing the process and a lot less time getting things done yourself,” Moore says. “Revolution is much smaller and by its nature, you have to be more involved. You get to get your hands dirty.”

Aaron Ray


Age:

30

Title:

Founder & Owner

Firm:

Nine Yards Entertainment

Personal:

Single, lives in Laurel Canyon Florida native, graduated University of Florida in 1994 Started booking bands in college Wanted to pursue politics… Planned on leaving for Washington, but decision was postponed upon contracting encephalitis Moved on to L.A. (“I wanted to take my shot and play with the big boys”).

Accomplishments:

Worked for Gallin-Morey Entertainment, Lynda Obst Productions and Immortal Entertainment Left post as senior VP of management at Immortal Entertainment to co-found management company The Firm Company had two clients, Martin Lawrence and rock band Korn Within three years it had added Limp Bizkit, Sisquo and Backstreet Boys Assisted in structuring financing deals for “Next Friday,” “All about the Benjamins,” “Black Knight,” and Big Momma’s House” Shares co-producing credits on “Black Knight” (set to be released in November) and “Big Momma’s House” (both star Martin Lawrence) Left the Firm in March to start his own shop New firm recently acquired comedy management company Shapiro/Murray.

Buzz:

Confident and motivated Colleagues say he has vision and knowledge across several different businesses Proactive on behalf of clients. “He’s very smart and knows how to build a business, yet can maintain a real creative bent on something,” said Scott Greenberg at CAA “Most young people who are that confident are not the real deal. He’s done nothing but show us the truth,” said Bobby Newmyer, co-founder and co-owner of Outlaw productions Says the structure of Nine Yards is more of an incubator designed to help clients grow their own companies

Eric Roth


Age:

34

Title:

Senior vice president, business and legal affairs

Firm:

Miramax Films

Personal:

Married with a 6-month-old boy Graduated from UC, Berkeley, with a bachelor of art’s degree in economics and rhetoric in 1989 Earned law degree from Stanford University in 1995 Enjoys furniture and home restoration, reading, traveling, swimming, spending time at home Hopes to one day focus on those hobbies full time.

Accomplishments:

Helped negotiate the release of “Apocalypse Now Redux” by Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope Studios Signed Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore for the upcoming “The Duplex,” as well as Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella (“The English Patient”) for the upcoming “Cold Mountain” Supervised business side of production for “Get Over It,” starring Martin Short and Kirsten Dunst Overseeing the production of “On the Line,” with N’Sync members Joey Fatone and Lance Bass.

Buzz:

Thrives on the high energy and the pressure of studios Loves seeing the fruits of his labor on the big screen Sees job as akin to building houses; litigators, by contrast, are hired to put out fires Understands creative talent better than most business lawyers Viewed as having the potential to be a successful producer one day Has calm, composed demeanor.

Jason Sloane


Age:

38

Title:

Partner

Firm:

Hansen Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman & Warren

Personal:

Native Angeleno went to Beverly Hills High Graduated from UC Berkeley ’85 J.D. from UCLA ’88 Started off at Mitchell Silverberg & Knupp Went to Hansen Jacobson Teller Hoberman Newman & Warren in 1989 Firm, only two years old when he arrived, has become one of L.A.’s premier boutiques Lives in Santa Monica Single.

Accomplishments:

Represents actors as well as behind the scenes talent Name-brand clients include Mark Wahlberg, Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, Meg Ryan Also represented screenwriter Adam Herz (“American Pie”) in a seven-figure deal to pen “American Pie 2” Represented LL Cool J for role in new film, “My Baby’s Mama” Recently represented building contractor turned screenwriter Shawn Lawrence Otto for screenplay “Shining White.”

Buzz:

Says he realized after law school that a transactional entertainment practice would allow him to do several different things “In a specialized world, it’s a way to be a general business lawyer at a sophisticated level,” he says. “There are opportunities to be involved in many different facets of the law: tax issues, immigration, labor, financial planning, contracts and preventing litigation” Enjoys the fast pace of several deals going on at once Also likes the human contact. “You deal with a lot of the same people on the other side that allows you to build strong, long-term relationships” Thrives in the entrepreneurial environment of a small firm. “When you’re smaller, it’s not just about adding more bodies, you have to be mindful of what you’re investing your time in, what you take on and how it uses your resources.”

Conor Dougherty

Todd Stern


Age:


Title:


Firm:

Weissmann Wolff Bergman Coleman Silverman & Holmes

Personal:

Undergrad work at University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana J.D. UCLA ’88 While at UCLA worked in the Warner Bros. feature department and Directors Guild of America Venice resident Single, dog owner Amateur photographer in spare time.

Accomplishments:

Began career at O’Melveny & Myers Did mostly transactional entertainment law, represented HBO & Disney Decided he wanted to represent talent (“It’s more interesting, and it’s needed”) Made partner at Weissmann Wolff five years ago Represents mostly writers and directors in independent productions Negotiated sale of “Y Tu Mama Tan Bien” to Fox for writer Alfonso Cuaron (“Little Princess,” “Great Expectations”) One of a handful of lawyers on the board of the UCLA Entertainment Law Symposium.

Buzz:

Enjoys the impact he can have on an independent’s career “Writers and directors are project oriented,” he says Sole representative for many clients. “You’re advising them not only on the issues, but how they should create their movie.” Colleagues say he takes time to talk things through Also takes risks on talented individuals who haven’t yet made it “He’s known as a really straightforward guy who’s good at his job, I like dealing with him because he’s a straight-shooter,” says Rogers Hartman, an agent with Sanford Gross Associates.

Matthew Thompson


Age:


Title:

Special counsel

Firm:

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

Personal:

Raised in Hawaii in a military family Came to California to attend the University of California at Berkeley Moved to L.A. because he wanted to be in entertainment law Enjoys hiking and being with his extended family, which includes a sister, brother, cousin and most of his wife’s family, who all live in the area La Tuna Canyon resident has a multiple-acre ranch with horses, cats and dogs First child, a son, born last week.

Accomplishments:

Started career as an associate at Stroock & Stroock Left for a 2-year hiatus at two smaller Beverly Hills firms, where he landed his first entertainment clients Works primarily on international financing, independent film financing and cross-border transactions Helped pioneer the split rights concept with partner Schuyler Moore, who calls Thompson his “lieutenant” Split rights allow foreign distributors to get part or all of the international rights while letting the studio keep the domestic rights Negotiated $1 billion worth of these deals for international and domestic distribution firms over past several years Client list includes international distributors Helkon Media AG in Germany and TF1 in France.

Buzz:

“I like taking deals that are convoluted and crazy and make sense of them and get on paper,” he says Wants to stay in law, not cross over to corporate entertainment because he’s not the “creative” type “I think in black and white.” Says his secret is putting himself in his clients’ shoes with extreme attention to detail Moore calls him his “heat sinking missile. We both have a better understanding of how to manipulate on the battlefield. Matt is the knight on the horse with the javelin.”

Amanda Bronstad

Matthew Velkes


Age:


Title:

Senior vice president, motion picture finance and business development

Firm:

20th Century Fox

Personal:

South African native Graduated in 1984 from American University in Washington D.C with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and economics Married 12 years with two girls, aged 4 and 7 Wife Liza Chasin is president of production for Working Title Films (“Fargo,” “Bridget Jones’ Diary,” “Notting Hill”) Collects vintage wine and enjoys watching rugby on satellite television.

Accomplishments:

Began career as an investment banker for Prudential-Bache Securities Inc. in New York and real estate consultant for Kenneth Leventhal & Co. in L.A. Spent 6 years at Fox, where he played key role in sealing an agreement to distribute MGM Studios’ new and old movies and videos overseas Helped structure deal for Fox to become worldwide distributor of all movies produced by New Regency Productions and released through 2013 Significant role on acquisition team that secured worldwide television and distribution rights of the 30-series MTM Productions library Will join Pandemonium Films, a production company headed by former Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairman Bill Mechanic this week.

Buzz:

Attracted to the entertainment industry because “I like the sense that it’s still the product that counts” Loves new challenges, particularly in a less bureaucratic environment Works 11-hour days without stress Keys to his success, says one Fox executive, are a pleasant disposition and honesty in business dealings

David Greenberg

Patrick Whitesell


Age:

36

Title:

Partner

Firm:

Endeavor

Personal:

Single Graduated from Luther College in Iowa with degree in political science Worked as a banker in San Diego before jumping into entertainment Plays basketball and golf.

Accomplishments:

Had stints at United Talent Agency and Intertalent before joining Creative Artists Agency in 1995 Started in motion picture department and was promoted to co-head of the operation only five years later… Key role in getting Oscar-winning “Good Will Hunting” made In addition to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, represents Drew Barrymore (“Charlie’s Angels: The Movie,” “Never Been Kissed”), Jada Pinkett Smith (“The Nutty Professor,” upcoming “Ali”), Christian Bale and Alan Rickman.

Buzz:

Found himself in the front lines of an agents’ war when he abruptly left Creative Artists Agency to join Endeavor last February, bringing much of his client list with him Had served as head of the talent department at CAA four of his five years there Rumored to have tripled his salary in the move Personable and outgoing returns phone calls in the timely fashion “He’s a tough but fair negotiator who serves his clients well without making the outrageous demands,” says Steven Hutensky, Miramax Films’ executive vice president of business affairs.

Kevin

Yorn

Age:


Title:


Firm:

Barnes Morris Klein Mark & Yorn

Personal:

Originally from Montville, N.J. Came to California in 1989 to clerk for the summer, made decision to move here permanently after school Misses the East Coast, but “California is home now” B.A. Muhlenberg College ’87 J.D. Tulane ’90 … Well-connected family wife, Julie Silverman Yorn, and brother, Rick Yorn, are partners with Michael Ovitz in Artists Management Group Another brother is musician Pete Yorn.

Accomplishments:

Started career as a prosecutor in the D.A.’s office Worked in the hard-core gang unit and tried several homicide cases Plan was to be a trial lawyer Started firm in 1996 Negotiated executive producer/actor deal for Ellen DeGeneres for upcoming “Ellen” show Assisted Anne Heche in deals for soon-to-be released autobiography, “Call Me Crazy,” and producer/actor agreement with Warner Bros. Firm’s eclectic list of clients includes Jim Carrey, Samuel L. Jackson, Motley Crue and City National Bank Hired seven new attorneys in the last year. Doesn’t want to get too big, though. “I think 20 lawyers is the limit,” he said.

Buzz:

One Creative Artists Agency agent said Yorn “tends to get everything he wants from a deal and yet knows how to let everybody walk away happy.” . Says he is most proud of the firm’s growth Differences from his DA job? “I’m not only a lawyer here. I’m also growing a business, dealing with the accounting, looking for new attorneys, looking for new clients and I’m dealing with creative people instead of cops” But there are similarities “Trial lawyers need deal-making skills such as preparation for court and plea bargains. I’m on the phone with business affairs attorneys, so there are similar aspects.

Conor Dougherty