Variety’s Legal Impact Report 2026: Meet Hollywood’s Top Entertainment Attorneys
- Apr 9
- 1 min read
Partners: Jeff B. Cohen, Esq. & Jonathan Gardner, Esq.
Turbulent times often create abundant opportunities for lawyers. That’s certainly been the case over the past year as media and entertainment has been rocked by the impact of AI, the contraction of production, the consolidation of major players in Hollywood and the political polarization that is affecting consumer tastes. The attorneys highlighted in this year’s Legal Impact Report are the trusted counselors of the town’s top talent and companies, helping them navigate a fast-changing landscape. Not to mention the litigation potholes opened up for IP owners by AI. This group is sure to stay busy over the next few years as the new world order takes shape.
Cohen Gardner
Jeff CohenFounding partner
Jonathan GardnerFounding partner
“Gucci is great. They make a lot of shoes,” says Cohen. “We want to be Saville Row and create something personally tailored.” The boutique’s recent bespoke matters include Ryan Coogler’s Gardner-brokered pact for Hulu’s “The X-Files” reboot and the Cohen-crafted deal for Michelle Yeoh to star in and executive produce the action-suspense film “The Surgeon.”
Reason for optimism: “People are still consuming content at an amazing rate, maybe more than ever before,” observes Gardner. “They’re just doing it in different ways.”