DLA Piper announces the appointment of Frank Valentin, Paris office partner, as global co-chair for the Media, Sport & Entertainment sector

To respond to the needs of a strategic sector with a complex landscape, DLA Piper announces the appointment of Frank Valentin, partner in the Paris office, as global co-chair for the Media, Sports & Entertainment sector. This appointment underlines the firm's commitment to strengthening its sectoral approach at the international level.

The Paris office of DLA Piper stands out for its integration within the global network and for the large number of people in charge of the sectoral activity at the global level: Antoine Mercier, International Group Head in Real Estate, Stéphane Lemarchand who joined the firm's Executive Committee in 2018 as Managing Director for Clients and Sectors, Michael Ostrove, Global Co-Chair of International Arbitration, Gregory Tulquois, Global Co-Chair commercial contracts, and Philippe Danesi, now Managing Partner of the Paris office, the first Frenchman to be elected as a member of the International Board in January 2021.

Frank's responsibilities will include leading and developing the firm's fast-growing Media & Entertainment business. The Media & Entertainment practice is one of DLA Piper's key international practice areas and has established itself as a major market player in the United States and Europe, representing and assisting the media, entertainment and sports industries in transactions involving the financing and production of audiovisual works, the acquisition and exploitation of ancillary rights, the organization and operation of sports events, regulatory matters, competition, the construction, acquisition and operation of stadiums and sports facilities, and sensitive intellectual property litigation.

A partner in charge of Intellectual Property in the Paris office, Frank joined the firm in January 2021. With more than twenty years of experience in complex IP litigation (soft IP and patents), mainly in the media and IT sectors, Frank also brings experience in the Life Sciences sector, where he assists major players in the pharmaceutical industry in their patent litigation.

Frank is a recognized industry expert. His experience complements that of Nick Fitzpatrick in the sports industry and he embraces DLA Piper's vision of industry leadership.

Stéphane Lemarchand says : “Over the summer, Nick Fitzpatrick and I agreed that Media, Sports and Entertainment would be the next Sector to benefit from an additional Global Co-Chair. In particular, someone who could help drive plans for the rapidly growing Media and Entertainment Sub-Sectors. I am therefore delighted to announce that Frank Valentin has joined the Sector Head team.”