Melanie Cook

Cook said it brings a unique sense of satisfaction to see talent she’s worked with since the early days of their careers transform into Hollywood royalty.

“It’s been really fun,” Cook said. “Going with them through the years - I think it’s been a theme of my career.”

On Cook’s list of clients are directors, writers, producers, actors, and everyone in between. And while attorneys at Ziffren Brittenham LLP tend to keep their lips sealed on client matters, industry reports indicate her client’s over the years have included actor Keanu Reeves, Better Call Saul producer Mark Johnson, and author Neil Gaiman, whose fantasy novel American Gods was recently made into a big budget series for Starz Entertainment.

Serving as attorney to actor Chadwick Boseman since his days of relative obscurity, Cook’s had an incredible view of his skyrocketing trajectory following the worldwide success of 2018’s Black Panther. Boseman has portrayed the Black Panther character four times to date, most recently in April’s Avengers: Endgame.

Speaking to the Daily Journal recently on the subject of Boseman’s Black Panther deal, Cook said Boseman “hadn’t been in much” around the time of the first deal she handled on his behalf, for the Jackie Robinson biopic 42.

And while starring in the prestige 2013 film alongside Harrison Ford is no small accomplishment, Cook said it’s been “stunning” to watch Boseman’s meteoric rise in the years since. With a slate of new projects in production – including a Netflix movie helmed by renowned director Spike Lee —Boseman won’t need to wait for Avengers to assemble for his next big role.

But her practice isn’t just about landing deals for Hollywood’s hottest new arrivals. Respected industry mainstays in need of a dealmaker capable of securing the right financial and creative terms also seek out her representation.

She said she recently attended the premiere for the Disney film Dumbo, directed by her longtime client Tim Burton. Cook started representing Burton from Frankenweenie, and while the 2012 film was no small potatoes with an estimated production budget of $81.5 million, reports indicate production costs for Dumbo will top $170 million.

Wherever her clients are on the star charts, however, she has two priorities as their advocate: good financial terms and maximum creative control.

Outside of her legal accolades – including having been the youngest attorney and first woman to receive the Beverly Hills Bar Association Lawyer of the Year Award in 1997 – she’s also been recognized for her community work. She is one of the founders of Hollywood for Habitat, a branch of the Habitat for Humanity, and works actively with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

— Steven Crighton