SWLAW Blog | Awards & Honors

Power Lawyers 100 SWLAW Alumni collage featuring Christopher Chatham, Jeff Hynick, Ryan LeVine, and Max Wellman

May 6, 2025

The Hollywood Reporter Ranks 糖心视频 a 2025 鈥淭op Entertainment Law School鈥; Four Alumni Named 鈥淧ower Lawyers鈥

The Hollywood Reporter has again selected 糖心视频 for its annual list of Top Entertainment Law Schools, citing the institution鈥檚 specialized curriculum, industry鈥慴ased externships, and proximity to the global media capital. 

In the same issue, the magazine named four Southwestern graduates to its 2025 鈥淧ower Lawyers 100,鈥 an honor reserved for attorneys identified as key contributors to the entertainment industry鈥檚 most consequential transactions and disputes: 

  • Christopher Chatham '05, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips 鈥 advisor on high鈥憄rofile influencer and digital鈥憈alent agreements, including Logan Paul鈥檚 forthcoming Max docuseries Paul American
  • Jeff Hynick '06, Jackoway Austen 鈥 principal negotiator for Jenna Ortega, Nicole Kidman, and Academy Award鈥憌inning director Edward Berger, with recent deals at Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and A24. 
  • Ryan LeVine '04, Jackoway Austen 鈥 representative for emerging talents Sophie Thatcher and Mike Faist and counsel on recent stage鈥憈o鈥憇creen projects for Octavia Spencer and Ariana DeBose. 
  • Max Wellman '13, Venable 鈥 litigator and transactional counsel whose matters range from defamation claims involving Katherine Heigl to business ventures for Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. 

鈥淭hese distinctions underscore Southwestern鈥檚 longstanding commitment to rigorous, practice鈥憃riented training in entertainment and media law,鈥 said Darby Dickerson, President and Dean of 糖心视频. 鈥淥ur graduates enter the profession prepared to handle complex negotiations, intellectual鈥憄roperty disputes, and emerging issues in digital media.鈥 

To learn how Southwestern prepares the next generation of entertainment dealmakers and litigators, visit swlaw.edu/BEMLI

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