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Five O’Melveny Partners Chosen for Variety’s Legal Impact Report Spotlighting Top Entertainment Lawyers

LOS ANGELES ─ JUNE 26, 2012 ─ O’Melveny & Myers LLP’s partners Christopher Brearton, Joseph Calabrese, Robert Haymer, Daniel Petrocelli, and Stephen Scharf were named to Variety’s Legal Impact Report, a feature spotlighting the world’s top entertainment lawyers, making it the most represented firm on the list.

The section, which was just published, profiled some of the best legal minds in the business including both in-house counsel and law firm attorneys. The lawyers on this list have made a major impact on the business during the past 18 months by winning a big case, helping put together a game-changing deal, or negotiating a business structure that sets a new industry benchmark, according to Peter Caranicas, Variety’s deputy editor.

Brearton, Calabrese, Haymer, and Scharf were chosen for their work on the transactional side, lining up significant deals for the International Olympic Committee, Lions Gate Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Univision Communications Inc. Petrocelli was involved in some of the most high-profile trials and cases for such clients as Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Co., video game developers Jason West and Vincent Zampella, Lisa Marie Presley, professional boxer Manny Pacquiao, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and Guess, Inc.

In the special feature, Brearton and Calabrese detail their work for the International Olympic Committee in discussions with the US Olympic Committee in regards to revenue sharing and the broadcast rights for four Olympic games. “I found myself in a unique position to bring these two parties together for the benefit of the global Olympic movement,” Brearton said to Variety. “That was extraordinarily challenging and satisfying and will have resonance for a long time to come. This deal must not only work today but has to be sustainable for the term of the arrangement.”

Haymer and Scharf discussed areas of growth for the Firm, including work with expanding the film industry into China and acquisitions of sports teams. “China might be getting the most publicity, but we see growth throughout Asia,” said Scharf in the feature. “We see this as the greatest area of growth moving forward for the next five years.”

Calabrese discussed one of his proudest accomplishments of the year — bringing preeminent film finance and distribution lawyer Libby Savill on board in O’Melveny’s London office. "I spent a lot of time in person and on the phone convincing her how she would benefit from being on our platform and we would benefit from having her be with us," he told Variety. "It's the proverbial one plus one equals three."

About O’Melveny & Myers LLP
With approximately 800 lawyers in 15 offices worldwide, O’Melveny & Myers LLP helps industry leaders across a broad array of sectors manage the complex challenges of succeeding in the global economy. We are a values-driven law firm, guided by the principles of excellence, leadership, and citizenship. Our commitment to these values is reflected in our dedication to improving access to justice through pro bono work and championing initiatives that increase the diversity of the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.omm.com