January 5, 2026
Five Willkie partners have been recognized among Variety’s “Dealmakers 2025” for their impact across music, film, and television transactions.
- Alan J. Epstein, Chair of the Entertainment Transactions Practice
- Steven E. Hurdle, partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department and the Entertainment Transactions Practice
- Andrew Kramer, Chair of Motion Picture, Television & Entertainment Finance Practice and partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department
- Shane Nix, partner in the Tax Department and the Entertainment Transactions Practice
- Beau Stapleton, partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department and the Entertainment Transactions Practice
The publication highlighted the team’s collective impact in the entertainment industry, spotlighting deals involving powerhouse production companies, digital creators, and A-list actors.
Highlights include Beau Stapleton representing Hopeless Records in its acquisition of punk label Fat Wreck Chords and advising digital creator Alan Chikin Chow on a joint venture record label with HYBE; Alan Epstein and Steve Hurdle advising Create Music Group on its acquisition of music label Monstercat and Hyphenate Media Group on its stake in GloNation Studios; and Andrew Kramer counseling Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity and representing 101 Studios (“Yellowstone,” “Y: Marshals”).
View the Willkie team’s profile in Variety’s “Dealmakers 2025” here.
