Kenneth Ziffren

With a reputation for huge deals and deft negotiations, and a client roster that has included MGM and Jay Leno, Ziffren's name is synonymous with entertainment law.

The attorney represented the National Football League in 1993 and 1997 during talks with major TV networks over broadcast rights. He also stepped in to mediate the 1988 dispute between studios and the Writers Guild over payments from TV programs sold to non-network markets. The 150-day strike ended three days later.

Today, Ziffren finds himself consulting with the Directors Guild of America and other talent-side unions on their upcoming talks with the studios regarding collective bargaining agreements.

Ziffren said his prominence stems from his clientele, who are "growth-oriented, active entrepreneurs."

While representing A-list celebrities is still thrilling for the attorney, he said he enjoys teaching at his alma mater, UCLA School of Law, just as much.

Ziffren established the school's entertainment law program and teaches a course on movie distribution.

During his 40 years as an entertainment lawyer, Ziffren said he has witnessed an evolution in the way movies are distributed, primarily because of the consolidation of studios and networks. These rapid changes have continued unabated, and Ziffren said he has rewritten his entire course book "Like, every year so far."