Tommy Finkelstein

Tommy Finkelstein is an attorney in the firm’s entertainment department with over two decades of experienced leadership in the entertainment industry. Tommy has structured, negotiated and closed many complex, high-value transactions across film, television, music and comedy touring, branding, and other forms of media.

Most recently, he served as General Counsel, Head of Business Affairs, at Independent Artist Group, a full service talent agency, where in addition to counseling the agency’s writer, director, actor and live touring clients, he advised senior management on strategic matters and led a team of attorneys. Tommy also oversaw all aspects of M&A and financings, managed corporate governance, regulatory compliance, litigation strategy, and executive employment agreements.

Previously, Tommy was Senior Vice President, Business Affairs at WarnerMedia, handling deals for the development, production, and distribution of acquired and original scripted and unscripted content for HBOMax, TBS, TNT, and TruTV, including negotiating agreements with top-tier talent, production companies, and acquiring intellectual properties such as book series, games, and graphic novels.

Earlier in his career, Tommy was Vice President & Senior Counsel at HBO, serving as primary counsel for celebrated original series, including Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Silicon Valley, and The Wire. Before HBO, Tommy was Director of Business & Legal Affairs for Walden Media, working on theatrical features such as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Tommy’s first job in the entertainment industry was as a Program Attorney for the ABC broadcast network.

Tommy began his legal career in the New York office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

In his spare time, Tommy is a competitive age group triathlete and runner and enjoys reading and playing poker and tennis. Tommy lives in Studio City with his family which includes two Alaskan Malamutes.