Emily Zipperstein

EMILY ZIPPERSTEIN represents brands, founders, and creators across a broad range of legal and strategic matters. Her practice spans mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, and complex commercial transactions. Emily focuses on the branded consumer space, advising clients on originating and launching brands, joint ventures with financial sponsors, brand investments, endorsements, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships.

Emily supports entrepreneurs and creators in navigating complex dealmaking in industries where personal identity and brand are deeply intertwined. With extensive experience in entertainment, sports, and media, as well as beauty, personal care, and wellness, Emily counsels clients at the intersection of creativity and commerce. Her combination of deep industry knowledge and experience involving complex regulatory, IP, consumer protection, employment, and trade issues has made Emily a go-to lawyer for clients navigating a crowded and increasingly challenging consumer landscape.

The Los Angeles Times named Emily as one of its 2025 “Business of Beauty and Fashion Visionaries.” Emily was also recognized by Variety in its Legal Impact Report (2021, 2023–2025), its 2023 “Dealmakers Impact Report,” and as a 2018 “Up Next” Honoree for her work in the media and entertainment sphere. Chambers recognized her at the 2019 Diversity & Inclusion Awards: USA as “highly commended” in the Future Leader – Gender Diversity award category.

Prior to joining Sidley, Emily served as associate general counsel for Las Vegas Sands Corp. in Las Vegas, NV, where she oversaw intellectual property matters worldwide, including the company’s global portfolio of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domains.

• Plant People, a functional wellness brand specializing in gummy supplements, in a strategic investment from private equity firm Manna Tree and follow-on investment from Unilever Ventures, an early investor in Plant People.
• Alex Cooper and the Unwell Network in connection with a long-term partnership with Google and the formation and launch of the Unwell Creative Agency.
• OSEA Malibu, a family-owned, seaweed-infused clean skincare brand, in connection with:
  • a strategic growth investment by General Atlantic, a global growth equity investor.
  • a minority equity investment by CAVU Venture Partners.
• Celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan in connection with the formation and launch of his namesake haircare brand in addition to its exclusive launch across Sephora stores.
• Olive & June, LLC, in its US$240 million sale to consumer retail company Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ:HELE).
• Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and certain of their affiliates in connection with various corporate transactions including:
  • A joint venture to launch PAPATUI, a men’s personal care brand initially available solely online and exclusively at more than 1,400 Target locations.
  • Joining the TKO Group board — the publicly traded company comprised of the WWE and the UFC — and entering into an overall agreement under which, among other things, Johnson gained full ownership of “The Rock” trademark, which had previously been owned by WWE.
  • The merger of the XFL with the United States Football League to launch a new professional spring football league known as the United Football League, on the heels of the acquisition of the XFL out of bankruptcy in partnership with RedBird Capital.
  • The launch of Teremana tequila through an industry unique global partnership and strategic alliance with Mast-Jägermeister, giving Teremana immediate access to its global network of retail, bar, and hospitality distributors.
  • Molson Coors Beverage Company’s acquisition of a majority ownership stake in ZOA Energy, an energy drink brand founded by Mr. Johnson, Ms. Garcia and others; also represented Mr. Johnson and Ms. Garcia, in the launch of ZOA Energy in 2020, and Molson Coors’ initial partnership with the brand in 2021 and follow-on investment in September 2023.
  • A joint venture with IMG to launch Athleticon, a multi-day live event focused on athletics, wellness and entertainment.
  • A strategic partnership with Under Armour in connection with the development of the “Project Rock” apparel line.
• Sara Happ Inc., a lip care cosmetics brand, in its sale of a minority ownership stake to BGM Ventures.
• Naturium in its US$355 million acquisition by e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.
• Audeze LLC, an audio technology brand, in its acquisition by Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC.
• We Evolvetogether LLC, a high-performing daily essentials brand with an emphasis on sustainable living, in its seed round funding led by True Beauty Ventures, with participation from G9 Ventures and Gregg Renfrew, the founder of Beautycounter.
• Eldridge Industries, in its acquisition alongside Dick Clark Productions, of all the Golden Globes’ assets, rights, and properties from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
• Commonwealth Asset Management and Shadowbox in a US$500 million investment into Shadowbox from technology investor Silver Lake.
• Vegamour, a premium, direct-to-consumer, clean hair wellness brand, in connection with an US$80 million equity investment by General Atlantic.
• Connor Schell (longtime chief creative officer at ESPN and driving force behind 30 for 30, O.J.: Made in America, and The Last Dance) in the formation and financing of a joint venture with Chernin Entertainment, to produce high-end unscripted audio-visual content.
• NEON Rated LLC, best known for the Oscar winning film Parasite, in an eight-figure equity raise led by 30West and as borrower in connection with a significant revolving credit facility with administrative agent and lender MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
• Shamrock Capital Advisors and certain of its affiliates in various media and entertainment acquisitions.
• ITV plc and ITV America in various media and entertainment transactions, including the acquisition from Leslie Greif of the 35 percent interest in Thinkfactory Media not previously acquired by ITV.
• Representation of Entertainment One Limited in various transactions including:
  • Investment in startup studio Creative Labs, an affiliate of Creative Arts Agency.
  • Joint venture with Round Room Entertainment to create Round Room Live, a live touring business.
  • Significant minority investment in, and strategic partnership with, digital-first media company Canvas Media Studios.
• Representation of W.K. Kellogg Foundation in a significant investment in Charles King’s multicultural media company Macro Entertainment alongside other investors including The Emerson Collective, The Ford Foundation and The Libra Foundation.
• Representation of Conan O’Brien, Jeff Ross, and Team Coco in a high-value transaction with TBS including the multi-year renewal of the late-night talk show Conan and the establishment of a global partnership with TBS spanning television, digital media, branded content, podcasting, mobile gaming, pay TV, social, and live events.
• Representation of global entertainment company, Tang Media Partners, in its acquisition of Open Road Films.
• Representation of certain affiliates of Siris Capital Group, LLC and Xura, Inc. in their nine figure acquisition of Mitel Mobility Inc.
• Representation of investment funds affiliated with Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. in their acquisition of Twin-Star International, Inc.
• Representation of Foundation Bancorp, Inc. in its acquisition by Pacific Continental Corporation.
• Representation of Castle Creek Capital LLC in numerous non-controlling bank investments.

• Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
• Member of the Los Angeles Committee of Human Rights Watch