Partner

Emily Zipperstein

M&A
Private Equity
Entertainment, Sports and Media

ezipperstein@sidley.com

Century City +1 310 595 9521

- Letter
- A4

EMILY ZIPPERSTEIN represents clients in a broad range of merger and acquisition transactions, joint ventures and other strategic alliances, corporate governance matters and complex commercial transactions, with a particular focus on media and entertainment, consumer products and founder-owned businesses. Emily was recognized by Variety in the 2021 and 2023 Legal Impact Report and by Chambers at the 2019 Diversity & Inclusion Awards: USA as “highly commended” in the Future Leader – Gender Diversity award category. Variety recognized her in its 2024 “Legal Impact Report,” its 2023 “Dealmakers Impact Report,” and as a 2018 “Up Next” Honoree for her work in the media and entertainment sphere.

Prior to joining Sidley, Emily served as associate general counsel for Las Vegas Sands Corp. in Las Vegas, NV, where she oversaw intellectual property matters worldwide, including the company’s global portfolio of patents, trademarks, copyrights and domains. Emily earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she served on the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal. She received her B.A., cum laude, with honors in English from Davidson College.

Experience

Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and certain of their affiliates in connection with various corporate transactions including:
- Joining the TKO Group board — the publicly traded company comprised of the WWE and the UFC — and entering into an overall agreement under which, among other things, Johnson gained full ownership of “The Rock” trademark, which had previously been owned by WWE.
- The merger of the XFL with the United States Football League to launch a new professional spring football league known as the United Football League, on the heels of the acquisition of the XFL out of bankruptcy in partnership with RedBird Capital.
- The launch of Teremana tequila through an industry unique global partnership and strategic alliance with Mast-Jägermeister, giving Teremana immediate access to its global network of retail, bar, and hospitality distributors.
- Molson Coors Beverage Company’s acquisition of a majority ownership stake in ZOA Energy, an energy drink brand founded by Mr. Johnson, Ms. Garcia and others; also represented Mr. Johnson and Ms. Garcia in the launch of ZOA Energy in 2020, and Molson Coors’ initial partnership with the brand in 2021 and follow-on investment in September 2023.
- A joint venture with IMG to launch Athleticon, a multi-day live event focused on athletics, wellness and entertainment.
Sara Happ Inc., a lip care cosmetics brand, in its sale of a minority ownership stake to BGM Ventures.
Naturium in its US$355 million acquisition by e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.
Audeze LLC, an audio technology brand, in its acquisition by Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC.
We Evolvetogether LLC, a high-performing daily essentials brand with an emphasis on sustainable living, in its seed round funding led by True Beauty Ventures, with participation from G9 Ventures and Gregg Renfrew, the founder of Beautycounter.
Eldridge Industries, in its acquisition alongside Dick Clark Productions, of all the Golden Globes’ assets, rights, and properties from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Commonwealth Asset Management and Shadowbox in a US$500 million investment into Shadowbox from technology investor Silver Lake.
Vegamour, a premium, direct-to-consumer, clean hair wellness brand, in connection with an US$80 million equity investment by General Atlantic.
Osea Malibu, a clean vegan skincare and bodycare brand, in connection with a minority equity investment by CAVU Venture Partners.
Connor Schell (longtime chief creative officer at ESPN and driving force behind 30 for 30, O.J.: Made in America, and The Last Dance) in the formation and financing of a joint venture with Chernin Entertainment, to produce high-end unscripted audio-visual content.
NEON Rated LLC, best known for Oscar winning film Parasite, as borrower in connection with a significant revolving credit facility with administrative agent and lender MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
Shamrock Capital Advisors and certain of its affiliates in various media and entertainment acquisitions.
ITV plc and ITV America in various media and entertainment transactions including the acquisition from Leslie Greif of the 35 percent interest in Thinkfactory Media not previously acquired by ITV.
Representation of Entertainment One Limited in various transactions including:
- Investment in startup studio Creative Labs, an affiliate of Creative Arts Agency.
- Joint venture with Round Room Entertainment to create Round Room Live, a live touring business.
- Significant minority investment in, and strategic partnership with, digital-first media company Canvas Media Studios.
Representation of W.K. Kellogg Foundation in a significant investment in Charles King’s multicultural media company Macro Entertainment alongside other investors including The Emerson Collective, The Ford Foundation and The Libra Foundation.
Representation of Conan O’Brien, Jeff Ross and Team Coco in a high-value transaction with TBS including the multi-year renewal of the late-night talk show Conan and the establishment of a global partnership with TBS spanning television, digital media, branded content, podcasting, mobile gaming, pay TV, social, and live events.
Representation of global entertainment company, Tang Media Partners, in its acquisition of Open Road Films.
Representation of certain affiliates of Siris Capital Group, LLC and Xura, Inc. in their nine figure acquisition of Mitel Mobility Inc.
Representation of investment funds affiliated with Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. in their acquisition of Twin-Star International, Inc.
Representation of Foundation Bancorp, Inc. in its acquisition by Pacific Continental Corporation.
Representation of Castle Creek Capital LLC in numerous non-controlling bank investments.

Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
Member of the Los Angeles Committee of Human Rights Watch

Credentials

Admissions & Certifications

U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
California

Education

University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), J.D., 2011
Davidson College, B.A., 2008 (cum laude)