Entertainment Lawyer Steve Tsoneff, Former General Counsel & Head of Business Affairs at Madison Wells Media, Returns to Gibson Dunn

Firm News  |  January 3, 2022

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Steve Tsoneff has returned to the firm as a partner in the Century City office. Tsoneff, who formerly served as General Counsel & Head of Business Affairs at Madison Wells Media, will concentrate his practice on advising clients on media and entertainment industry-focused transactional matters.

“We are thrilled to welcome Steve back to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Steve’s unique entertainment transactional skillset, along with his tireless work ethic and strong industry network, make him an excellent addition to Gibson Dunn’s premier media and entertainment practice.”

“Steve was a highly respected and widely renowned entertainment industry expert before he joined Madison Wells as its General Counsel, and his in-house experience will make him even more valuable to our clients and global practice,” said Kevin Masuda, Co-Chair of the firm’s Media, Entertainment and Technology Practice Group. “We couldn’t be more excited for Steve to return and provide his expert and pragmatic advice on entertainment transactional matters, including in rapidly evolving development, production and distribution deals. Steve is a brilliant attorney and a wonderful colleague and friend. We’re lucky to have him back.”

“It’s great to return to my professional home,” said Tsoneff. “I began my law practice at Gibson Dunn more than 22 years ago, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with so many friends across the firm. This is an extremely exciting time to be an entertainment lawyer and help clients navigate through the challenges and opportunities of a media and entertainment landscape that is changing at an increasingly accelerated pace, as I saw firsthand during my five years at Madison Wells Media. There really is no other place I’d rather continue the next chapter of my career.”

About Steve Tsoneff  

Tsoneff’s practice will focus on advising content producers, distributors and financiers in media and entertainment transactions, licensing, distribution, and rights acquisitions, as well as a range of creative project financing solutions, including single project, slate, and corporate.

Prior to rejoining Gibson Dunn, Tsoneff served as General Counsel & Head of Business Affairs at Madison Wells Media from 2017 through 2021. He practiced at Gibson Dunn from 2000 to 2017 and previously served as Co-Chair of the firm’s Media, Entertainment and Technology Practice Group. Tsoneff has received numerous industry accolades, including multiple appearances on The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 100 Power Lawyers list, and Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report list and Legal Impact Report lists.

Tsoneff received his law degree from Columbia Law School in 2000, where he was recognized as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He graduated cum laude from Harvard College in 1997.