April 4, 2025
Willkie partners Alan Epstein and Michael Gottlieb have been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s “Power Lawyers 2025,” an annual series recognizing the top 100 attorneys in the entertainment industry.
THR again recognized Alan as one of Hollywood’s outstanding dealmakers, an award he has now received seven times. The publication highlighted his success advising longtime client Ryan Reynolds on the sale of Mint Mobile to T-Mobile as part of a $1.35 billion deal. Alan’s market-leading transactions also include representing Create Music Group in connection with a $165 million investment by Flexpoint Ford, and Brillstein Entertainment Partners in its sale to Wasserman Media Group. Alan serves as Chair of Willkie’s Entertainment Transactions Practice and is widely recognized as one of the media and entertainment industry’s foremost deal attorneys.
Michael Gottlieb was recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s leading litigators and trial attorneys. THR highlighted his current representation of actor Blake Lively in her high-profile sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against the director and co-star of “It Ends With Us,” as well as his representation of rap superstar Drake in the closely watched defamation case against Universal Music Group. Michael is Chair of Willkie’s Crisis Management Group, and Co-Chair of the Media & First Amendment Practice Group and the Strategic Motions & Appeals Practice Group.
THR again recognized Alan as one of Hollywood’s outstanding dealmakers, an award he has now received seven times. The publication highlighted his success advising longtime client Ryan Reynolds on the sale of Mint Mobile to T-Mobile as part of a $1.35 billion deal. Alan’s market-leading transactions also include representing Create Music Group in connection with a $165 million investment by Flexpoint Ford, and Brillstein Entertainment Partners in its sale to Wasserman Media Group. Alan serves as Chair of Willkie’s Entertainment Transactions Practice and is widely recognized as one of the media and entertainment industry’s foremost deal attorneys.
Michael Gottlieb was recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s leading litigators and trial attorneys. THR highlighted his current representation of actor Blake Lively in her high-profile sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against the director and co-star of “It Ends With Us,” as well as his representation of rap superstar Drake in the closely watched defamation case against Universal Music Group. Michael is Chair of Willkie’s Crisis Management Group, and Co-Chair of the Media & First Amendment Practice Group and the Strategic Motions & Appeals Practice Group.
