Ropes & Gray Named to The Hollywood Reporter’s Top Dealmakers of 2024

Ropes & Gray mergers & acquisitions partners Jackie Cohen and Emily Oldshue were recognized as Hollywood’s Top Dealmakers of 2024, for their work representing National Amusements, Inc. (NAI) in its proposed sale to entities affiliated with Skydance Media. The Hollywood Reporter honors executives, reps and lawyers who advised on the most impactful, intriguing and industry shaping mergers and acquisitions.

Ropes & Gray led NAI in a definitive agreement to sell NAI to entities affiliated with the Ellison Family and Redbird Capital for $2.4 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis. NAI, which together with its subsidiaries holds approximately 77% of the voting stock of Paramount Global, also delivered a written consent approving a transaction by which Skydance Media will be merged with Paramount Global.

“Ms. Redstone was single-mindedly focused on making sure not only that her family had a good outcome, but also that the company that she cared so much about — Paramount Global — and its stockholders had a good outcome,” said Emily.

The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.