BRANCA'S GOT THE POWER

We've long known that John Branca was a force to be reckoned with, but Lawfuel Magazine has underscored the point by naming him "The Most Powerful Lawyer in Hollywood."

The publication says of the Ziffren Brittenham music boss, "When your legal practice represents music icons likes Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson, you are more than just an 'entertainment lawyer'—you are instead John Branca, one of the most feted entertainment lawyers ever."

Fortunately for Branca, the story makes no mention of his having appeared in our fetid publication.

Branca's longtime representation of Jackson and his Estate include landmark deals like Jackson's acquisitions of ATV Music and The Beatles catalog, and then representing Jackson in creating the merger of Sony/ATV, which included a seat on the board of directors.

He represented Sony/ATV in the $2.2b acquisition of EMI Music, creating the world's largest music-publishing company and handled for EMI the divestiture sale of Virgin Music. Branca also represented legendary music publishing catalog sales from Berry Gordy's Jobete Music, Leiber & Stoller Music and the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization.

More recent deals include the sale of the Michael Jackson Estate's interest in Sony/ATV for $750m and the sale of the Jackson Estate's interest in EMI Music for $287m. Branca also closed IP/catalog deals for clients Brian Wilson and Leonard Cohen, along with Primary Wave's acquisition of James Brown's catalog, Enrique Iglesias, The Doors, Limp Bizkit, and Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees.

Branca, David Lande and David Byrnes oversee the firm's music practice, which represents a diverse lineup of clients spanning all genres. Diversity is also reflected in the makeup of the department. Founded in 1979, Ziffren Brittenham also has a renowned film and television department. Check out the Lawfuel article here.