Marvin S. Putnam

Marvin S. Putnam is a partner at Latham & Watkins and a nationally recognized trial attorney in entertainment and media litigation. He serves as Global Chair of the firm’s Entertainment, Sports & Media Industry Group and has represented major clients in complex disputes across state, federal, and international courts.

Marvin earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law in 1993 and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Harvard College in 1986. He is admitted to practice in California and New York and is fluent in handling high-profile cases involving First Amendment issues, intellectual property, defamation, and commercial litigation.

Marvin began his career handling complex commercial disputes, including environmental and international financial claims. Today, he is best known for landmark entertainment cases, such as defending AEG Live in the Michael Jackson wrongful death trial—a defense that resulted in a major verdict and rejection of appeal by the California Supreme Court.

Marvin’s notable work includes representing global media entities, authors, studios, and cable providers in precedent-setting trials. He also counsels clients on prepublication review and advises on litigation-sensitive transactions across the entertainment sector.

Recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers and named Entertainment Lawyer of the Year by The Recorder, Marvin has earned accolades from Chambers USA, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Daily Journal. He is known for combining sharp legal insight with strategic litigation excellence.

From defending journalistic freedom to protecting intellectual property, Marvin S. Putnam delivers elite advocacy tailored to the complex challenges of the media industry. His commitment to clients and courtroom mastery make him one of the most trusted names in entertainment law.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP
• Member, Century City Bar Association

Licensed State

• California
• New York

Education

• Georgetown Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Harvard College
  BA with Cum Laude

Awards & Badges