W. Joseph Anderson is a partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, based in the firm’s Los Angeles office. He specializes in corporate transactional matters across the entertainment industry, with deep experience spanning music, film, television, gaming, theatre, podcasting, and emerging digital platforms. His practice also includes intellectual property, copyright, and corporate law, advising a diverse clientele that includes high-profile artists, production companies, brands, and emerging technology ventures.

Joe’s deep industry knowledge allows him to work with talent ranging from the developing to the iconic, ensuring their creative and business interests are strategically positioned for success. He has worked on numerous and varied high-profile entertainment projects, including representing Jason Momoa both in connection with his Max show On The Roam and his band’s first U.S. and international tours. He also represents award-winning experiential agency Mirrored Media in connection with expansive event production agreements with Disney Branded TV for major Disney-controlled IP, including Bluey and Descendants, as well as the popular social media platform, TikTok for large-scale public and private events. He was selected by the finalists for Seasons 24-27 of The Voice to advise them in recording, publishing, merchandising, and touring agreements. Additionally, he represented SymphonyOS in securing multiple successful partnerships with music distributors and raising $1M in its pre-seed funding round.

Joe’s combination of hands-on industry experience has made him a go-to lawyer for a wide range of entertainment and technology clients, setting him apart as a leader in his field. Joe’s experience also extends to cutting-edge areas like AI, where he guides clients through transactions that bridge multiple entertainment sectors—serving as a music lawyer to film producers and a film/TV lawyer to musicians. His legal acumen has earned him multiple industry recognitions, including being named one of Variety’s New Leaders of 2023, a Billboard Top Music Lawyer, recognition as a Super Lawyers Southern California “Rising Star” for entertainment and sports (2018-2024) and was awarded the GEMALaw Alumni Achievement Award in Entertainment (2021) after graduating from George Town University Law Center.  Joe is a frequent speaker on industry panels, covering topics such as AI’s impact on entertainment and emerging trends in music licensing, and his insights have been featured in Bloomberg Law as well as other major publications.

Demonstrative of his commitment to pro bono work, Joe recently played a key role in the FireAid benefit concert, structuring, negotiating, and advising on deals with over twenty distribution partners to maximize the event’s reach and impact. His efforts helped bring together top talent and industry leaders to support communities affected by devastating wildfires.