Andrew Levin

11

Andrew Levin

Mediator

Biography

Andy Levin is an experienced media & entertainment industry executive. He is a lawyer and a CPA, and has a long record of closing many high value and complex transactions. He served for many years as general counsel and head of government relations of several large, public companies, including Clear Channel, iHeartMedia, and Live Nation.

In his current role as general counsel of Relativity Media, Levin is responsible for managing all corporate legal functions, including business and legal affairs, for the mini-major film studio.

Prior to joining Relativity, Levin was a senior executive with T-Mobile, where he led all U.S. government relations, representing T-Mobile’s interests before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Justice, and other government agencies.

In addition to mediating for FairClaims, Levin serves as a private arbitrator and mediator for FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), and NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation), where he facilitates resolution of investment-related and other commercial disputes. Through FairPoint Solutions, LLC, Levin specializes in providing dispute resolution services to both plaintiffs and defendants in the entertainment industry, where he is able to help parties by drawing on his extensive knowledge of television and film production and distribution, radio broadcasting, live theater and concerts, and the outdoor advertising business.

Levin also serves as a Subchapter V of Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee. In that role, he is appointed to cases by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to help debtors and creditors mediate disputes and develop consensual plans of reorganization.

Practice Areas

Entertainment & Intellectual Property

  • Business structuring and transactional cases
  • Copyright and trademark infringement claims
  • Distribution and talent contract disputes
  • Licensing and royalties
  • Endorsement and sponsorships

Employment

  • Wage & hour disputes
  • Workplace discrimination & harassment
  • Wrongful termination
  • Severance negotiations and disputes

Business & Finance

  • Bankruptcy and banking disputes
  • Fiduciary claims
  • Transactional disputes
  • Dissolution agreements

Real Estate – Residential

  • Purchase – sale disputes
  • Construction and development disputes
  • Landlord-tenant claims
  • Property line and other owner disputes

Education & Experience

FairPoint Solutions, Principal (2019-current): Provide mediation and arbitration services through service on rosters of FairClaims, FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) and CDSP (California Dispute Settlement Program); facilitate consensual plans of reorganization in bankruptcy through appointment as Subchapter V Trustee to Chapter 11 cases by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.

Relativity Media, General Counsel (2015-current): Lead legal and HR team for Hollywood studio-level film production and distribution company that has produced, distributed or structured financing for over 200 motion pictures.

T-Mobile USA, SVP Government Affairs (2014-2015): As member of senior leadership team, led the legislative and regulatory affairs teams for U.S. operations.

iHeartMedia (f/k/a Clear Channel), EVP, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary (2002-2010): Provided legal direction and strategy for all business initiatives undertaken by $24 billion public company, inclusive of Radio, Television, Outdoor and Live Nation divisions, and its 30,000 employees worldwide. Led team of 40 in-house lawyers, and managed work of 200+ outside counsel worldwide.

U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, Chief Counsel (1995-2002): Served as chief policy advisor to former “dean of the House”, Committee Chairman John D. Dingell, and counseled House members on all mass media, telecommunications and internet policy matters.

EDUCATION

Master of Laws program | Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law, Malibu, CA

Juris Doctor | Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, Arlington, VA

Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance | George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Awards & Groups

Association of Bankruptcy Trustees | Member, Executive Committee | Co-Chair, Legislative Subcommittee
American Bar Association | Member, Section of Dispute Resolution
Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel, Los Angeles, CA
Past Chairman | Leadership Advisory Committee

Licenses & Credentials

Member, State Bar of Virginia
Registered In-House Counsel, State Bar of California
Certified Public Accountant, Virginia Board of Accountancy
Certified Mediator, Los Angeles and Ventura County Superior Courts
Appointment, Case by Case Subchapter V Trustee, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for CDCA