Eric W. Cowan, an accomplished dealmaker who leads high-profile transactions in the media, communications, technology and financial services sectors, has joined McGuireWoods as a partner, leading the firm’s global media and entertainment practice.
Cowan represents acquirers, targets and investors in multibillion-dollar and middle-market transactions, with a focus on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings and reorganizations, and complex financial arrangements. Over the past three years, Cowan has guided clients through numerous acquisitions and dispositions of television production and new media companies, alternative viewing platforms, technology companies, and complicated licensing and distribution agreements, including multiplatform arrangements. Those deals include the acquisition of companies, such as Leftfield Pictures, that produce and distribute popular reality television programs.
Cowan also provides strategic guidance to traditional media companies in developing digital and emerging media strategies and restructuring communications and media companies across multiple jurisdictions. He comes to McGuireWoods from Squire Patton Boggs, where he was managing partner of the New York office. He previously served as global chair of the communications, media and technology group at Winston & Strawn.
“Eric is a high-stakes dealmaker in the media and entertainment industry,” said Scott Westwood, chair of McGuireWoods’ M&A, Corporate Transactions & Technology Department. “He is at the forefront of helping global clients navigate the legal issues that arise as new technologies and new media channels revolutionize how content is produced and distributed.”
“Our clients are constantly challenging us with the scope and pace of their ability to innovate,” Cowan said. “With a top 10 mergers and acquisitions practice and formidable intellectual property and litigation capabilities, McGuireWoods is able to meet those challenges. What excites me about McGuireWoods is how the firm has married its tradition of excellence to innovative approaches that provide the best legal and commercial results for our clients.”
McGuireWoods represents production companies, major technology providers, broadcasters, talent, investors and leading financial services companies in mergers and acquisitions, project financings, licensing and distribution agreements, commercial litigation, and intellectual property and copyright protection.
McGuireWoods ranked among the top 10 law firms for overall and mid-market M&A deal work in 2016 in league tables compiled by Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters. The firm’s nationwide M&A practice is ranked in the 2016 edition of The Legal 500 U.S. and McGuireWoods represented clients in two major deals that won 2016 M&A Advisor Awards.