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Christopher Chatham

Partner

Manatt Entertainment
Contact
  • cchatham@manatt.com
  • Phone: 310.312.4159
  • Download vCard
  • Los Angeles
Bar Admissions
  • California

    Hawaii

    Washington, D.C.

Education
  • Southwestern Law School, J.D., 2005

    University of Virginia, B.A., Government, 2000

Services
  • Corporate and Finance
  • Digital and Technology Transactions
  • Litigation
  • Venture Capital / Emerging Companies
Industries
  • Film, Television and Digital Content
  • Manatt Entertainment
  • Manatt Retail and Consumer Products

Show Full Bio

  • Profile
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Honors & Awards
  • Memberships
  • Publications
Profile

Profile

Christopher Chatham is a distinguished entertainment lawyer serving as trusted legal counsel to global icons and entertainment powerhouses across the gamut of sophisticated industry matters.

Frequently recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s top lawyers, Chris advises clients on a variety of matters, including production issues, management strength, deal structuring, new media business, employment matters and other strategic planning, and is the go-to Hollywood dealmaker for consumer brands backed by celebrity influencers.

Additionally, he acts as general counsel to some of entertainment’s most innovative stakeholders—from well-known stars, directors and producers to independent production companies and large corporations. Chris has extensive experience working with these clients on corporate matters, including partnership agreements, joint ventures, venture capital transactions, talent holding deals and licensing agreements, as well as advising on personnel matters.

Chris also has significant experience litigating on behalf of a wide range of businesses. He leverages his entertainment experience to assist clients facing such litigation in state and federal courts as well as arbitration.

Chris’ clients are currently functioning on multiple platforms generating more than 800 hours of television per year (including the #1 syndicated TV talk show), engaged in the development of dozens of pilots, selling more than 40 million books and operating a number of digital platforms with tens of millions of users per month. His impactful work has earned him recognition as a top Hollywood dealmaker from various media publications across the country, including Variety’s Legal Impact Report and the publication’s highly competitive Dealmakers Impact Report, which features the major game-changing deals that have impacted the showbiz landscape. Before starting his career as a lawyer, Chris was a corporate bond trader on Wall Street and a Registered Representative of the National Association of Securities Dealers, coordinating high-profile debt offerings for clients.

Speaking Engagements

Speaking Engagements

Serves as an on-air legal analyst on network television and is part of Dr. Phil McGraw’s team of attorneys who explain complicated legal issues

Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards

Top Dealmakers, The Hollywood Reporter, 2022

Dealmakers Impact Report, Variety, 2014–22

Legal Impact Report, Variety, 2014–22

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2015–23

Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2012 and 2014

Memberships

Memberships

Admitted to practice in the state of California, the state of Hawaii and the District of Columbia

Publications

Publications

Quoted, “Why “Mogul” Is the Title Everyone in Hollywood Is After,” The Hollywood Reporter, October 25, 2022.

Featured, “Entertainment Lawyer Christopher Chatham Joins Manatt, Phelps & Phillips,” Variety, January 6, 2022.

Featured, “Manatt adds Hollywood dealmaker to L.A. entertainment practice,” Reuters, January 6, 2022.

Chris in the News

  • 12.23.22

    Chatham Named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 2022 Top Dealmakers

    Manatt Entertainment Partner Chris Chatham was named as one of Hollywood’s Top Dealmakers of 2022 by The Hollywood Reporter, a list that ...

  • 12.19.22

    Manatt Represents Chris Harrison in Launch of iHeartRadio Podcast ...

    A Manatt team led by Manatt Entertainment Partner Chris Chatham represented former Bachelor host, Chris Harrison, in the launch of his new ...

  • 12.07.22

    Three Manatt Entertainment Partners Named to Variety’s 2022 ...

    Manatt Entertainment Leader Jordan Bromley and Partners Chris Chatham and Sophia Yen were named to Variety ’s 2022 Dealmakers Impact ...

  • 11.30.22

    Manatt Represents Hello Bello in Dr. Seuss Licensing Deal

    Manatt Entertainment Partner Chris Chatham represents Hello Bello, a baby care startup co-founded by Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, in its ...

Show More


Chris's Newsletters

  • 01.19.23

    Entertainment Industry Predictions: Streamers, Litigation, Emerging ...

    Below we predict what 2023 will bring, ranging from the continued explosion of the creator economy to advancement of novel technologies such as NFTs ...

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