In a recent Fortune article published this week, Hooman Yazhari shared his perspective on how uncertainty in global trade can put VC dealmaking on pause. Hooman notes that many investors may choose to sit tight rather than commit capital in an unpredictable climate. With liquidity events top of mind for the startup ecosystem, stability will be key in the months ahead.
M&R served as music counsel to Cutting Edge Media Music (as lead investor and manager) in the creation of a joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery, a game-changing transaction which is one of the largest and highest valued music rights deals ever and covers almost 100 years of music copyrights. The joint venture, covered by Billboard, contains over 400,000 compositions and song cues—including the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises, DC Comics movies, as well as TV shows such as Friends, Game of Thrones, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Succession, and The White Lotus. The M&R team was led by Michael Poster, our Music Acquisitions & Financing Chair, along with associates Claire Hoffman, Mehdi Sinaki and law clerk Hannah Kang.
Michael Poster and Claire Hoffman recently represented Johnny McDaid, a member of Snow Patrol and acclaimed songwriter behind hits for Ed Sheeran, BTS, P!nk, Louis Capaldi, Alicia Keys, in the sale of his latest catalog to Concord Music Group. This milestone deal—one of the first major music acquisitions of 2025—was covered by Music Week.
Lara Shortz has provided her insights to Hotel Dive on the NLRB’s uncertain future and its impact on the hospitality industry. In the wake of the Trump administration’s actions impacting Board leadership, Lara explains how thousands of cases have been left in limbo, prolonging labor disputes and creating regulatory uncertainty for employers navigating compliance and union issues. With federal labor policy in flux, she advises hospitality businesses to proceed with caution.
Lara Shortz was recently showcased in a Law.com “How I Made Office Managing Partner” feature. In the article, Lara shares her journey from associate to firm leader and offers valuable advice and insight. Among other things, she explains that leadership comes to those who are ready to seize opportunities and embrace challenges, even outside their comfort zones. Without question, Lara’s vast experience, combined with her dedication to building a collaborative and inclusive workplace, highlight the values that define our firm.
Elizabeth Tosaris lent her expertise to Law360’s coverage of the evolving climate crisis and its impact on insurance markets. In the article, “Top Climate Stories For Insurance Attys To Watch In 2025,” Elizabeth explained that California’s recent regulatory reforms—designed to stabilize homeowners insurance in fire-prone regions—represent a necessary compromise but will take time to influence the market. As she aptly put it, “You don’t turn a warship on a dime.” With insurers adapting to new catastrophe modeling tools and rate-setting processes, her insights are a must for those navigating this complex intersection of climate and insurance.
Jeff Farrow was quoted in IAM on the resolution of a high-profile trade secrets dispute between IBM and GlobalFoundries. This closely watched case centered on allegations of misappropriation tied to advanced semiconductor technologies. Jeff noted that this resolution likely stemmed from a shared understanding that collaboration—not litigation—better aligned with both companies’ goals of innovation and strengthening the semiconductor industry. His takeaway? Businesses must conduct thorough due diligence when partnering with competitors to minimize risks, better positioning them to unlock opportunities to create groundbreaking technologies and drive business growth.
Insights from Madison Dini have been featured in a Modern Aesthetics article titled “Legal Expert Discusses Industry Outlook for 2025.” In the story, Madison dives deep into the dynamics that will shape the medtech and aesthetics sectors this year. From forecasting an uptick in M&A activity—driven by post-election economic shifts and industry consolidation—to unpacking the potential impact of an FTC ban on non-compete clauses, her commentary offers a masterclass in understanding the business and legal landscape of this unique space. Madison’s remarks also underscore why M&R remains at the forefront of business law.
Hooman Yazhari has been featured in Corporate Compliance Insights’ “Top Stories of 2024,” where he shares his perspective on the future of ESG and impact investing. Hooman underscores how the growing demand for authentic, measurable impact is driving the maturation of the ESG market, pushing asset managers and allocators to develop more rigorous, purpose-driven strategies.
