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Matthew Syrkin

Partner

New York City

+1 (212) 837-6046

matthew.syrkin@hugheshubbard.com
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Biography
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Matthew Syrkin is a partner and the global chair of Hughes Hubbard’s Media, Technology and Commercial Transactions Group, and co-chair of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Group.

Recognized by Chambers, Legal 500, Law360 and other leading publications, Matthew provides strategic business counsel and commercial/corporate transactional support for clients in the technology, media, fintech, entertainment, consumer retail, e-commerce, transportation, gaming and hospitality industries.

Matthew has repeatedly been named by Variety Magazine as one of the top “Elite Dealmakers” and "Impact Lawyers" in the country in the media and technology industry for his work advising industry-leading businesses, including matters for Ernst & Young, Daimler, Bumble, Roku, CBS, The Madison Square Garden Company (NY Knicks and Rangers), WarnerMedia, Infosys, Condé Nast, AMC Networks, HBO Latin America, MGM, EPIX, Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and John Varvatos Enterprises.

Matthew also specializes in cross-border commercial transactions, with a particular focus on Latin America and East Asia. He holds a degree in East Asian Studies and Languages, and speaks Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. During his significant time abroad in East Asia, he attended the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing and Keio University in Tokyo.

Prior to joining Hughes Hubbard, Matthew worked on technology transactions in the legal departments at Major League Baseball, News Corporation and TiVo, Inc.  While at Hughes Hubbard, he was seconded to Viacom to handle interactive entertainment and e-commerce transactions as lead counsel for Viacom affiliate, MTVGames/Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., developer of the “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” franchises. In that role, he negotiated complex licensing, manufacturing, payment and technology partnerships with Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Electronics, Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

Matthew is a globally-recognized practitioner and frequent speaker, lecturer and author on the business and legal aspects of disruptive technologies, digital platforms and complex commercial transactions. He has authored books on technology transactions, contributed articles to major publications and been quoted on the front page of the New York Times as an expert on technology law.

A member of the planning committee for the Copyright Society of the U.S.A. since 2007, Matthew has been the keynote speaker at several industry conferences, including the Global Latin America Marketing Summit and DCM East and has both moderated and served on high-profile industry and university panels dealing with OTT television disruption, dynamic advertising solutions, crypto currency, cloud-based entertainment and online payment systems.

Recent Awards and Recognition

  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's "Legal Impact" Report, Variety Magazine, July 2020, https://variety.com/lists/varietys-2020-legal-impact-report/matthew-syrkin/
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Legal 500 USA 2019 in New York, Media and Entertainment, Legal 500, https://www.legal500.com/firms/50478-hughes-hubbard-reed-llp/51790-new-york-usa/lawyers/595667-matthew-syrkin/
  • Ranked and Awarded, Chambers USA 2019 in New York, Media & Entertainment, Chambers and Partners, https://chambers.com/lawyer/matthew-j-syrkin-usa-5:1529677
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's“Impact Dealmaker”Report, Variety Magazine, December 2019, https://variety.com/gallery/de... 
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's “Dealmakers Elite New York” Report, Variety Magazine, September 2019, https://variety.com/gallery/ne...
  • Awarded, “Most Innovative Deal of the Year” The Deal Awards Short List, June 2018, http://www.thedeal.com/tdp/SHO...
  • Featured Profile, Law360- “3 Reasons Attorneys Should Learn a Foreign Language”, Law360, August 2018, https://www.law360.com/article...
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Legal 500 USA 2018 in New York, Media and Entertainment, Legal 500, http://www.legal500.com/firms/...
  • Ranked and Awarded, Chambers USA 2018 in New York, Media & Entertainment, Chambers and Partners, https://chambers.com/guide/usa...
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's“Impact Dealmaker” Report, Variety Magazine, September 2017, https://variety.com/gallery/de...
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Legal 500 USA 2017 in New York, Media and Entertainment, Legal 500 http://www.legal500.com/firms/...
  • Ranked and Awarded, Chambers USA 2017 in New York, Media & Entertainment, Chambers and Partners, https://chambers.com/guide/usa...

Areas of Concentration

  • Information Technology. Information technology products, services, systems, applications, hardware and solution-driven hosting, development, monetization, leasing, support, licensing and distribution arrangements across cloud, virtual, mobile, remote and emerging platforms.
  • Fintech, Payments and Blockchain. Financial services-driven products, services and solution licensing, development and distribution arrangements, including online banking, airline and travel booking, merchant, gateway, settlement, payment and e-commerce solutions (blockchain, distributed ledger, crowd-funded), money wire and funds transfer, point of sale, card industry standards (PCI) and fraud detection solutions and agreements.
  • Interactive Entertainment, AI and Games. Augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, interactive entertainment, video game, casino and land-based gaming development, e-sports partnerships, brand licensing, publishing, distribution, sales, marketing and merchandising arangements across all mobile, console, online and Smart TV platforms.
  • TV, Film and Programming. Film, television, program, event and performance licensing, distribution production, affiliate, carriage and syndication initiatives with cable networks, cable operators, distributors, programmers, MVPDs, wireless carriers, satellite radio network operators, device manufacturers, content aggregators and OTT platform operators.
  • Data Privacy and Cybersecurity. Data privacy, IT and cybersecurity matters, including customer data collection, use, processing, transfer and disclosure requirements, alternative data licensing, analytics, monetization, sourcing and warehousing arrangements, internal and consumer- facing privacy policies and legal and regulatory compliance review and diligence.
  • IoT, Hardware and Manufacturing.Retail and industrial product and equipment manufacturing, sourcing, distribution, procurement, import/export, logistics, warehousing, storage, packaging, transport, carriage, tracking and shipping transactions, including IoT integrations, product warranty and safety documentation, instruction and product manuals and legal and regulatory compliance review.
  • Advertising Technology and Digital Marketing Solutions. Complex digital marketing and ad tech driven solutions, including dynamic advertising (insertion, swapping, overlay), linear, online and digital ad serving, publisher, syndication, monetization, data and distribution arrangements, and traditional and platform-based contest and sweepstakes administration.
  • Outsourcing and Managed Services. Cross-border outsourcing, professional, master and managed service agreements for complex IT (software and platform development, hosting and support), financial, accounting, assurance, advisory, call center, customer support, back office, CRM, product manufacturing and data analytics-based services and platforms.
  • Retail, Brand and Consumer. Apparel, electronics, home furnishings, food/beverage, books, toys and retail product development, distribution, manufacturing logistics and sales arrangements, brick and mortar store establishment, franchise and trademark licensing, commission, consignment, agent and dealer agreements, product sales and warranty items.
  • Corporate and Strategic Alliances. Joint ventures, strategic alliances, share and asset transactions, mergers, business combinations, security and credit agreements, co-branding and collaboration agreements, real property/leasing transactions, executive compensation, employment and independent contractor agreements and other corporate arrangements.

Speaking Engagements, Publications and Lectures

  • Featured Profile, Law360 - “3 Reasons Attorneys Should Learn a Foreign Language”, August 2018, https://www.law360.com/article...
  • Writer, “Drastic Shifts Seen in Endorsement Deals Between Celebrities and Fashion Labels”, California Apparel News, February 15, 2018 https://www.apparelnews.net/ne...
  • Speaker, “2018 Latin America Marketing Summit”, February 7-8, 2018 http://hub.hugheshubbard.com/n...
  • Mentioned, “Netflix's First Acquisition: 'Kingsman' Comics Publisher, Hollywood Reporter, August 2017, http://www.hollywoodreporter.c...
  • Mentioned, “Netflix's First Acquisition: Boosts Comics Portfolio”, The Deal, August 2017, https://s3.amazonaws.com/hhr-w...AND https://pipeline.thedeal.com/a...
  • Mentioned (Espanol), “Netflix cierra su primera compra: Acuerdo con el editor de cómics Millarworld”, The Daily Television, August 2017 http://www.thedailytelevision.... 
  • Mentioned, “MSG Makes First Outright Acquisition With Entertainment Tech Firm Obscura”, TheStreet, November 25, 2017, https://www.thestreet.com/stor...
  • Author, “U.S. Television on the Internet and the New “MVPDs”, digitalhhr.com, October 2015
  • Author, “The Streaming Revolution in the Entertainment Industry”, 2015 ed.: International Association of Entertainment Lawyers, IAEL Publishing Company, August 2015
  • Author, “The Battle for Cloud City: Aereo Continue to Push Disruption to the Supreme Court”, digitalhhr.com, October 2013
  • Author, “Understanding Developments in Cyberspace Law”, 2013 ed.: Leading Lawyers on Analyzing Recent Trends, Case Laws, and Legal Strategies Affecting the Internet Landscape (Inside the Minds), West Publishing Co, August 2013
  • Quoted, “Real and Virtual Firearms Nurture a Marketing Link”, New York Times (Front Page), December 31, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12...
  • Speaker and Moderator, “Television and Disruptive Technologies: Copyright’s New Frontier”, Copyright Society of the USA, December 11, 2012, presentation video online: http://isoc-ny.org/p2/4680
  • Keynote Speaker, Chair and Moderator, “Microtransactions in Gaming”, DCM East (Gaming Summit), June 2012
  • Speaker, “Crossing the Digital Border: Exploiting Digital Content and Devices Overseas”, HHR Continuing Legal Education Seminar, May 1, 2012
  • Author, “Cloud Computing, Digital Lockers and Copyright: The Cloudification of Entertainment”, digitalhhr.com, September 14, 2011
  • Presenter, “Copyright and Content in the Cloud”, Copyright Society of the U.S.A., September 2011
  • Speaker, “App-endectomy: Removing the Mystery from the App Ecosystem”, HHR Continuing Legal Education, April 2011
  • Speaker, “Forecast: Entertainment in the Cloud”, HHR Continuing Legal Education, December 2010
  • Presenter, “Beg, Borrow, or Steel? Exploring Practical Solutions to the Music Sampling Debate”, Copyright Society of the U.S.A., October 2010
  • Author, “ivi TV Update: ivi Files Complaint for Declaratory Judgment”, digitalhhr.com, September 2010
  • Author, “ivi TV: Live Network Television on the Net Without Negotiation?”, digitalhhr.com, September 2010
  • Speaker, “Whose Data Is It Anyway? Privacy & Data Security in a De-Centralized World”, HHR Continuing Legal Education, September 2010
  • Panelist, “Internet Rights And Technology: A Practical Legal Guide To Doing Business On The Internet”, New York City Bar, September 2010
  • Author, “Social Networking Games, Sweepstakes, Promotions and the New Apps: Developing the Fine Line of Legality”, digitalhhr.com, June 2010
  • Speaker, “TV Everywhere…Is It Everywhere You Want It to Be?”, HHR Continuing Legal Education, March 2010
  • Author, “United States: Dance Dance Copyright Revolution: Interactive Gaming’s Upcoming Copyright Conundrum”, Mondaq, January 2010  http://www.mondaq.com/unitedst... 
  • Speaker, “Legal, Business & Operational Issues in Interactive Games Initiatives & Transactions”, HHR Continuing Legal Education, September 2009
  • Author, “Lessons from the NFL: The Importance of Scope and Duration in Drafting Intellectual Property License Grants”, digitalhhr.com, August 2009
  • Author, “You (Publicly) Play, You Pay: ASCAP After Ringtone Money and the Impact on Your Deals”, digitalhhr.com, June 2009
  • Author, “In-Game Placement: Guns, Guitars and Gadgets: Think Again Before You Depict Something You Don’t Own or License in Your Video Game”, digitalhhr.com, June 2009
  • Author, “Note to Digital Content Owners: Time to Master Fair Use”, digitalhhr.com, December 2008
  • Author, “Copyright Royalty Board Establishes First Time Mechanical Rates for Ringtones and Ad-supported Streaming Music”, digitalhhr.com, November 2008
  • Author, “Publishers Driving the Copyright Royalty Board Bus (PART II)”, digitalhhr.com, September 2008
  • Author, “The Current Trends and Challenges for Digital Media in Latin America”, Latin Lawyer Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 8, August 2008 https://latinlawyer.com/article/1087535/winning-the-digital-race
  • Author, “Publishers Driving the Copyright Royalty Board Bus (PART I)”, digitalhhr.com, July 2008
  • Author, “A Congressional Foray Into the Net Neutrality Debate”, digitalhhr.com, February 2008
  • Speaker, “Copyright and Patent Drive By”, New York University, Tisch School (Telecommunications Graduate Program), November 2007
  • Presenter, “Introduction to Music Publishing”, Copyright Society of the U.S.A., October 2007
  • Presenter, “Secondary Liability in a Perfect 10 World”, Copyright Society of the U.S.A., April 2007

Professional Activities

  • Programming Committee, Copyright Society of the USA
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, New York State Bar Association
U.S. Television on the Internet and the New “MVPDs” (UPDATED)
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
The Battle for Cloud City: Aereo Continues to Push Copyright Disruption to the U.S. Supreme Court
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Copyright Disruption in the Cloud: Latest Appellate Court Decision in Aereo Case Widens U.S. Court Split Over Rights Required for Streaming Entertainment Content from the Cloud – One Step Closer to U.S. Supreme Court Showdown?
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Copyright Disruption in the Cloud: U.S. Courts Divided Over Rights Required for Streaming Entertainment Content from the Cloud – Could a U.S. Supreme Court Showdown be Looming?
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Cloud Computing, Digital Lockers and Copyright: The Cloudification of Entertainment (Update)
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
ivi TV Update: ivi Files Complaint for Declaratory Judgment
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
ivi TV: Live Network Television on the Net Without Negotiation?
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Social Networking Games, Sweepstakes, Promotions and the New Apps: Developing the Fine Line of Legality
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Dance Dance Copyright Revolution: Interactive Gaming's Upcoming Copyright Conundrum
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Lessons from the NFL: The Importance of Scope and Duration in Drafting Intellectual Property License Grants
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
You (Publicly) Play, You Pay: ASCAP After Ringtone Money and the Impact on Your Deals
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
In-Game Placement: Guns, Guitars and Gadgets: Think Again Before You Depict Something You Don't Own or License in Your Video Game
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Note to Digital Content Owners: Time to Master Fair Use
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Publishers Driving the Copyright Royalty Board Bus (PART II)
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
Publishers Driving the Copyright Royalty Board Bus (PART I)
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article
A Congressional Foray Into the Net Neutrality Debate
Client Advisories
Matthew Syrkin Partner
View News Article

News

Firm Assists JD Sports in Purchase of Shoe Palace and Nice Kicks
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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​Hughes Hubbard’s Matthew Syrkin Named to Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report 2020
News & Events |
People
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Firm Advises Platinum Equity in Nesco’s $1.48B Deal
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Leads Cantor Fitzgerald SPAC in Merger With View
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Reps Turnitin in Deal to Buy ExamSoft
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Reps Global IT Leader Infosys in Acquisition of Kaleidoscope Innovation
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Advises Cantor Fitzgerald SPAC in $2B Merger With GCM Grosvenor
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Partner Matthew Syrkin Named to Variety’s Legal Impact Report List
News & Events |
Awards |
People
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Firm Helps Grab Raise Over $700M From Japan’s MUFG
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Shortlisted for Two Honors in The Deal Awards Middle Market 2020
News & Events |
Awards
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Hughes Hubbard Advises Global IT Leader Infosys in Acquisition of Simplus
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard’s Matthew Syrkin and Ken Lefkowitz Named to Variety’s “Dealmakers Impact Report” 2019
News & Events |
Awards
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Hughes Hubbard Honored Twice in The Deal’s Cross-Border Asia Awards
News & Events |
Awards
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Hughes Hubbard Inks Groundbreaking Deal Between Led Zeppelin and John Varvatos
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Paves Way for Completion of $3.7B Acquisition of Sotheby's
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard's Matthew Syrkin Named to Variety’s 'Dealmakers Elite New York' 2019
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Awards
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Firm Assists Condé Nast in Sale of Golf Digest and Brides
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Guides Daimler in Acquisition of Self-Driving Technology Company Torc Robotics
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Negotiates Game of Thrones Partnership Between HBO and John Varvatos
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Annual Review: Key Results From 2018
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Awards |
Deals & Matters |
Diversity |
People
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Matthew Syrkin Featured in Law360
Articles & Press
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Hughes Hubbard Involved in Two Matters Shortlisted for The Deal Awards
News & Events |
Awards
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Firm Helps JD Sports Expand in US With Finish Line Acquisition
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Advises Grab in Acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia Business
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Advises Wipro in $405M Sale of Data Center Services Business
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Annual Review: Key Results from 2017
News & Events |
Awards |
Deals & Matters |
Diversity |
People
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Firm Negotiates Fashion Endorsement Deal With Nick Jonas
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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​Firm Assists AMC in Launching Streaming Service
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Two Hughes Hubbard Partners Featured in Variety's Dealmakers Impact Report
News & Events |
Awards
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Firm Represents Millarworld in Netflix's First-Ever Acquisition
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Reps MSG in Purchase of Majority Stake in Esports Company
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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​Firm Advises MSG in Purchase of Majority Stake in Tao Group
News & Events
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2016 Annual Review: Key Results
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Awards |
Deals & Matters |
Diversity |
People
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Firm Reps Madison Square Garden in Deal With Boston Calling Events
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Assists Greenbriar in SEKO Logistics Investment
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Advises AMC in $200M Investment in BBC America
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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​Hughes Hubbard Helps Viacom Acquire Stake in Defy Media
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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​Hughes Hubbard Advises MSG in Strategic Deal With Tribeca Enterprises
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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​Matt Syrkin and Dan Schnapp Participate in “Television and Disruptive Technologies” Panel for the Copyright Society of the U.S.A.
News & Events
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Matt Syrkin Quoted on Front Page of New York Times
Articles & Press
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DigitalHHR Team at DCM East Conference
News & Events
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TransGaming Acquires Oberon Media's TV Game Division
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Matt Syrkin and Dan Schnapp Participate in Copyright Society Panel on Cloud Computing
News & Events
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Firm Helps TED Prize Winner Launch Global Art Initiative
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Matt Syrkin Speaks on Panel at Princeton Club
News & Events
Matthew Syrkin Partner
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Matt Syrkin Speaks on Panel at NYC Bar Center
News & Events
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Hughes Hubbard Represents Fortune Tobacco in Joint Venture with Philip Morris
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Winning the Digital Race in Latin America
Articles & Press
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Education
  • University of California, Berkeley Law School, J.D., Boalt Hall Certificate in Law and Technology
  • Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, Certificate
  • Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, Certificate
  • Georgetown University, B.S., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Sigma Nu
Bar Admissions
  • New York
Languages
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • Japanese
  • Spanish
Areas of Focus
Asia Pacific
Banking & Financial Services
Corporate
Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
Latin America
Media, Technology & Commercial Transactions
Mergers & Acquisitions
Patent, Trademark & Copyright Litigation
Also of Interest:
  • Charles W. Cohen
  • Fara Tabatabai
  • Patrice Jean

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