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Lawrence "Larry" Waks (born October 10, 1964) is an American entertainment lawyer known for his representation of high-profile celebrities and brands in complex business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and endorsement deals. With a background in finance and law, Waks has been instrumental in landmark deals for celebrity-owned brands like Casamigos Tequila and Aviation Gin, among others. His expertise spans intellectual property, brand strategy, and investment, making him a sought-after legal advisor in the entertainment and consumer products industries.
Early Life and Education
editWaks was born and raised in the Westchester area of Miami, Florida to a Cuban mother and a French father. He grew up in a multilingual household as the eldest of three siblings. French is his first language, but he is also fluent in English, Spanish, Russian, German, and speaks some Italian and Portuguese. His affinity for languages has been extremely helpful in the global deals he orchestrates for his clients. Notably, his godfather was American sports agent and lawyer Bob Woolf who was a great influence in Larry's life and career trajectory.
Waks attended Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove /Miami Florida before beginning his higher education as a Geology and Environmental Studies major earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity University and subsequently his J.D. degree from St Mary's University. In addition, he earned a Post Graduate Degree in Finance and Accounting from Southern Methodist University (SMU). His Finance and Accounting backgrounds have allowed him to understand the business of his clients, while allowing him to serve as investment banker in many of his M&A deals, bringing a unique combination of legal and financial expertise to his clients.
Career
editBegan in the Energy Sector
editWaks initially worked in the energy sector, representing major oil and commodity trading companies around the globe living in Bolivia, Argentina, London, Paris and Anchorage before transitioning into entertainment law.
Transition to Entertainment Law
editWaks then moved to New York City where he focused more on the entertainment and consumer products industries. He has substantial experience representing record labels, publishing companies, film studios and producers, video game companies, advertising and public relations companies, artists, bands, songwriters, screenwriters, industry trade groups, merchandising companies, broadcasters, cable networks, and print media throughout the United States and in foreign countries. This extensive experience makes him an authority in Copyright law. When he was a litigator, he handled lawsuits involving antipiracy, antibootlegging, and other intellectual property issues, including copyrights, trade secrets, and trademark disputes, in addition to libel and privacy matters. As a transactional lawyer, Waks has negotiated a variety of agreements with record labels, film studios and production companies, publishing companies, content providers, cable and broadcast networks, electronic game companies, advertisers, and fashion companies, among others.
Moving Into Brand Representation
editWaks has represented clients in several high-profile transactions, including George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman in the $1 billion sale of Casamigos to Diageo in 2017,[1] the sale of Patrón to Bacardi for $5.1 billion in 2018,[2] the sale of Aviation American Gin, where Ryan Reynolds served as brand ambassador and an owner to Diageo in 2020,[3] the launch and expansion of Dwayne Johnson's Teremana Tequila. He also worked on the sale of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey for Conor McGregor to Proximo Spirits,[4][5] the sale of Jay-Z's 50% stake in champagne brand, Armand de Brignac, to LVMH in 2021,[6] the investment of Proximo in JAJA Tequila in 2021,[7] the launch of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre ready-to-drink (RTD), Gin and Juice[8] as well as their Still G.I.N.,[9] the joint venture between Beyoncé and LVMH Moët Hennessy in 2024.[10], the launch of Matthew McConaughey's Pantalones Tequila[11] in 2024. His role often extends beyond legal representation to advising on business strategy, brand partnerships, and investments.
Pro Bono Work
editWaks worked on the business amicus brief on the clarification of medial exceptions under Texas abortion bans in the reproductive rights case Zurawski v. State of Texas
Waks has supported homeless and immigrant assistance programs in Austin through his role on the Board of Caritas of Austin, a Catholic charity.
Waks worked with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County, an organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect by empowering volunteers to advocate for their safety, well-being, and opportunities to thrive.
Waks volunteers with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the preeminent international nongovernmental organization devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children.
Board Memberships and Recognitions
edit1. Waks served on the board of directors for the San Antonio Spurs from 1988–1992.
2. Past president, State Bar of Texas Entertainment and Sports Section.
3. Chair, Texas State Bar, Copyright Section.
4. Governing committee, Texas State Bar, Intellectual Property Section.
5. Member, Texas Bar Foundation.
6. Fellow, American Bar Association's (ABA) Foundation.
7. Member, New York State Bar Association Entertainment Practice Section.
8. Former Chair, Litigation Division, American Bar Association Entertainment & Sports Practice Forum.
9. Voting member, The Recording Academy(Grammys)
10. Founding and voting member, The Latin Recording Academy (Latin Grammys).
11. Board member, Dallas Film Society.
12. Former member, Austin Film Society Development Board.
13. Named a "Texas Super Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters.[12]
14. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®[13]in the Entertainment and Media Law categories, and most recently for Copyright Law.
15. Elected to the American Bar Association's (ABA) Entertainment and Sports Forum Governing Committee.
16. Named "Attorney to the Stars," by Ad Age.[14]
Personal Life
editWaks is married to film producer, Terri Piñon, and is the father of two children, Andrew and Brooke. Outside of his professional life, Waks is a talented bass player and continues to play music in his spare time. He is also a United States Coast Guard licensed sailboat Captain.
References
edit- ^ Hopkins, Amy (June 21, 2017). "Diageo splashes US$1bn on Casamigos Tequila". The Spirits Business.
- ^ Carruthers, Nicola (April 30, 2018). "Bacardi completes Patrón Tequila acquisition". The Spirits Business.
- ^ Picchi, Aimee (August 17, 2020). "Ryan Reynolds' Aviation Gin sold to Diageo for up to $610 million - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com.
- ^ Carter, Gary (April 29, 2021). "Conor McGregor Nets Up To $600 Million In Sale Of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey". The Whiskey Wash.
- ^ Smith, Christian (April 28, 2021). "Conor McGregor sells majority of Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits". The Drinks Business.
- ^ Wiener-Bronner, Danielle (February 22, 2021). "Jay-Z sells half of his Champagne brand to owner of Dom Pérignon | CNN Business". CNN.
- ^ Abdulla, Hannah (October 20, 2021). "Proximo Spirits partners with Jaja Tequila for production and global distribution".
- ^ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-dre-and-snoop-dogg-launch-ready-to-drink-gin--juice-by-dre-and-snoop-302059505.html#:~:text=Dre%2C%20the%20canned%20beverage%20is,packaging%20designed%20by%20Ini%20Archibong.
- ^ Madsen, Miona (October 16, 2024). "Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg launch gin". The Spirits Business.
- ^ Holland, Oscar (August 22, 2024). "Beyoncé launches whiskey inspired by 'moonshiner' great-grandfather". CNN.
- ^ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/shopping/matthew-mcconaughey-launches-pantalones-tequila-price-where-to-buy-1235627071/
- ^ "Top Attorneys in Texas | Super Lawyers".
- ^ https://www.bestlawyers.com/
- ^ "An 'attorney to the stars' on the rise of celebrity booze deals and resurgent drive-in movie theaters | Ad Age".