David C. Eisman

David C. Eisman is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates and serves as head of the firm’s Media and Entertainment Group as well as leader of the M&A/Corporate Group in the Los Angeles office. He advises clients across a wide range of industries, including music, film, gaming, investment banking, technology, and apparel. His practice includes mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, fund formations, and securities law matters, often involving high-profile transactions and global players in the entertainment and investment sectors.

Mr. Eisman earned his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1993. He holds both a B.S. and a B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania, awarded in 1990.

Throughout his legal career, Mr. Eisman has represented clients in many landmark deals. These include the sale of DreamWorks Studios to Paramount Pictures, the IPO of DreamWorks Animation SKG, and the acquisition of music catalogs and labels involving artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Drake, and Eminem. He has also advised on transactions involving companies such as Embracer Group, Warner Music Group, United Talent Agency, and The Carlyle Group. In the retail and finance sectors, he has worked on significant deals for Dole, Murad, XIO Group, and Ares Management.

Mr. Eisman has received numerous industry honors, including recognition by Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Lawdragon, and The Legal 500. His practice group was named a 2022 Practice Group of the Year by Law360, reflecting his leadership and transactional expertise in media and entertainment law.

In addition to his transactional work, David C. Eisman contributes to pro bono efforts, including initiatives with the Special Olympics, Steven Spielberg’s USC Shoah Foundation, and educational programs addressing sexual and cybercrimes. He serves on several professional and advisory boards and continues to be a leading force in shaping media, entertainment, and corporate law.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
• Member, UCLA Entertainment Symposium, Advisory Board
• General Counsel Team, FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association
• Past Chairman, Board of Trustees, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Business Law Section
• Board of Directors, FBI L.A. Citizens Academy Alumni Association
• Advisory Board, Asia Society
• Board of Councilors, USC Shoah Foundation

Licensed State

• California

Education

• University of California
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
  BS with Magna Cum Laude
• University of Pennsylvania
  BA with Magna Cum Laude

Awards & Badges