Mike Lawhead is a leading architect of complex, high-value corporate transactions across the media, entertainment and sports ecosystems. With decades of experience, Mike is a trusted advisor for M&A (including mergers and stock and asset sales and acquisitions), corporate finance (including private venture capital and public capital markets financings), joint venture arrangements, and all things in-between, representing a blue-chip roster of on-camera talent, musicians, digital content creators, athletes, and the agents, managers, and investors who support them.

Known for his agility in both buy-side and sell-side mandates, Mike’s practice is defined by a founder-to-exit approach, guiding clients through critical inflection points—from initial formation and funding to exits. A strategic fixer for high-profile stakeholders, Mike integrates sophisticated corporate governance and compliance experience with a deep focus on protecting the commercial value of intellectual property and NIL rights. Whether acting as outside general counsel for established businesses or lead counsel for financing sources, Mike is the premier choice for professionals seeking to scale and dominate in the most competitive sectors of the talent and media markets.

Prior to joining Manatt, Mike was a partner at a global law firm, working on a wide range of complex corporate transactions in the entertainment space.