Michael Lawhead

/My focus

Media & Entertainment Transactions

I regularly counsel on-camera talent, musicians, digital content creators, athletes, and the agents, managers, and investors who support them. I help clients structure and negotiate complex, high-value entertainment deals; protect and develop their intellectual property and name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights; and build sustainable businesses aligned with their long-term goals.

With a deep understanding of the dynamics shaping today’s entertainment, media, and sports industries, I guide clients through strategic decisions at the intersection of law, innovation, and commercial growth.

M&A and Corporate Transactions

I represent acquirors and targets, both public and private, in a range of M&A transactions, including mergers, stock and asset acquisitions, tender offers, and going private transactions. I also work with emerging growth companies in myriad matters ranging from formation to funding to exits (and all things in between).

Outside General Counsel

I act as outside general counsel to assist clients in general corporate and securities matters, including SEC reporting and compliance, Nasdaq and NYSE listing and compliance, corporate governance, investor relations, and executive compensation.

/Representative experience

Media and Entertainment Transactions

• Represented Pressalike, Inc., a media production company, in its acquisition of Smosh Productions, Inc., a media production company, from Mythical Ventures, a creator-owned investment fund, and affiliated investors
• Represented a privately held livestream and social commerce company in multiple private placements of debt and equity
• Represented 10PM Curfew Corp., a lifestyle media company, in its acquisition of Hollywood Life Media, LLC, the owner of celebrity entertainment news site HollywoodLife.com. [public]
• Represented a media entrepreneur and content creator in the negotiation of a minority investment in his media and content company by a creator-owned investment fund
• Represented a media entrepreneur, celebrity photographer, and content creator in multiple joint venture transactions with a consumer growth equity firm
• Represented a media entrepreneur and content creator in the creation of a lifestyle brand and community platform for women
• Represented a media entrepreneur and content creator and his production company in a media and content joint venture with other content creators
• Represented a media company in its joint venture transaction for the development, production, promotion, and sale of a popular beer line
• Represented the media and entertainment investment arm of a talent management company in multiple early-stage investments and related portfolio company matters
• Represented a chef, restaurateur, actor, musician, and entrepreneur in multiple joint venture transactions, partnerships, and investments
• Represented a media entrepreneur and content creator in a joint venture arrangement to develop, produce, and promote a podcast and related matters
• Represented a media company in its sale of certain IP assets to a content creator

/Looking ahead

We will continue to see a heightened focus on issues of climate and other environmental, social, and governance matters, particularly as they relate to federal and state securities laws and regulations, stock exchange listing rules, and accompanying disclosure obligations for publicly held companies, diversity and inclusion at the board level and otherwise, and related risks and opportunities.

/Insights

• “Diversity in Corporate America,” Nixon Peabody 2023 California MCLE Virtual Seminar, January 20, 2023
• “LA Investor Outlook,”4th Annual Greater Los Angeles CEO Summit, Los Angeles, CA, October 20, 2021