Manatt Expands Corporate Capabilities With Notable Entertainment Dealmaker

By: Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP via Business Wire

December 12, 2023 at 09:00 AM EST

William D’Angelo brings an impressive track record navigating complex corporate transactions for entertainment and emerging companies to Manatt’s nationally recognized Entertainment group

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, today announced the arrival of William (Bill) D’Angelo III as an Entertainment Transactions and Finance Partner in the Firm’s Los Angeles and Orange County offices. D’Angelo brings decades of corporate experience handling sophisticated transactions—including M&As, equity investments and financing transactions—for entertainment and media companies as well as representing emerging companies throughout the entirety of their life cycles. His arrival strengthens Manatt Entertainment’s offerings at the intersection of content creation and innovation, and expands the Firm’s broader corporate and emerging companies and venture capital practices.

“Manatt’s business advisory, corporate and litigation roots within entertainment and digital transformation run deep, and Bill’s experience in this space will enhance our work with clients in driving industry innovation, especially as it relates to content creation, distribution and financing,” said Manatt CEO and Managing Partner Donna L. Wilson. “We’re also excited to welcome Bill to our expanding corporate bench, and his arrival reflects our commitment to providing unmatched legal and business counsel for clients looking to build and protect their companies as well as explore new industries.”

D’Angelo represents clients in a range of corporate finance and entertainment and media matters, with an emphasis on technology, digital media, hospitality and cross-border M&As. In particular, his practice focuses on large-scale and complex restructurings, joint ventures, recapitalizations, financings and private equity transactions for entertainment and media companies across the nation. D’Angelo also advises startup companies, angel investors and venture capitalists across technology, software and digital media on emerging issues and opportunities in the booming EC/VC ecosystem. Further, he counsels early- and growth-stage companies on intellectual property protections and licensing, employment matters, corporate governance, and capitalization strategies.

“The entertainment space is progressively converging with myriad industries—including technology, real estate and financial services—and clients are increasingly seeking advisers with broad experience and deep knowledge to help them be pioneers within this environment,” said Manatt Entertainment Leader Jordan Bromley. “Bill provides that, fitting uniquely into the ever-changing space where our clients are expanding their revenue streams beyond what’s typical or expected. We are thrilled to have him, and looking forward to exponential growth together!”

Beyond his work in the entertainment and emerging technologies space, D’Angelo provides complete business and legal counsel to investment funds and family offices on broker-dealer and investment-adviser compliance, fund formation, M&As and financing advisory. He also provides corporate governance counsel, advising companies on executive compensation, risk management and fiduciary duties. He has notable experience within emerging industries that are continuing to innovate and converge with entertainment, such as the artificial intelligence and cannabis sectors.

“Manatt’s reputation within the entertainment industry is unparalleled, and I have long admired its professionals and their commitment to providing both legal and consulting counsel to their impressive roster of clients,” D’Angelo said. “I am looking forward to tapping into the Firm’s integrated professional services model, and especially as a lawyer and business adviser myself, I understand the importance of providing that business-centric approach to client issues across the gamut of industries in which I focus.”

D’Angelo is the most recent addition to Manatt’s expanding roster of legal and consulting professionals across the Firm’s core practices, including Health Care (Edo Banach, Nicholas (Nick) Bath Jr., Dr. Troyen (Troy) A. Brennan, Robert (Rob) Fraiman, Eric Gold, Paul Irving, Tracy A. Massel, Lauren Polak, Thomas (Tom) Robertson, Shelli Silver and Julia E. Smith); Litigation (Justin Wolosz, Randy S. Grossman, Dylan Carson, Joan Lukey and Marty Murphy); Government and Regulatory (Wendy J. Greuel and Cassie M. Prugh); Privacy and Data Security (Paul H. Luehr); Land Use (Fernando Villa); Consumer Protection and Advertising (Bezalel (Bez) Stern); and Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement (Sherli Furst).

D'Angelo received his J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and his A.B. in comparative literature from Princeton University.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is a leading professional services firm, providing integrated legal and consulting services to a global client base. With offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and Silicon Valley), New York (New York City and Albany), Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston, the Firm represents sophisticated clients — including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies — across a range of industry sectors such as health care; financial services; entertainment; digital and technology; and energy, environmental and real estate. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.