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Matthew Syrkin

Partner

New York City

+1 (212) 837-6046

matthew.syrkin@hugheshubbard.com
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Matthew Syrkin is a partner and chair of Hughes Hubbard’s Media, Technology and Commercial Transactions Group. 

He provides strategic business counsel and commercial/corporate transactional support for clients in the technology, media, consulting and financial services, consumer retail, advertising, entertainment, health care, gaming and hospitality industries.

Named by Variety Magazine as one of the top 50 impact deal makers in the media and entertainment industry, Matthew frequently advises industry-leading businesses on structuring and negotiating cutting-edge and complex transactions, including matters for AMC Networks, Ernst & Young, The Madison Square Garden Company (NY Knicks, Rangers and Liberty), CBS, the Mark Cuban Companies, John Varvatos Enterprises, Bumble, Microsemi Corporation, Viacom/MTV, News Corporation, KPMG, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Grab Taxi, Millarworld Comics (Kingsman, Kick-Ass), Brambles, Sequential Brands Group (And1, Avia, Jessica Simpson), Banco Davivienda, Mattel and HBO Latin America.

Matthew also specializes in cross-border transactions and speaks Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. He spent several years living abroad in Japan, China and the Republic of Panama and studied at Keio University in Tokyo and Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Before joining Hughes Hubbard, Matthew worked in the legal departments at Major League Baseball, Fox Cable Networks and TiVo, Inc.

While at Hughes Hubbard, he was assigned to Viacom/MTV Networks to serve as lead counsel for the “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” franchise developers. In that role, he negotiated strategic partnerships in the interactive entertainment space with Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony Electronics, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and The Beatles.

Matthew is a frequent speaker, lecturer and author on the business and legal aspects of disruptive technologies, new media platforms and complex commercial transactions and has been a member of the planning committee for the Copyright Society of the U.S.A. since 2007.

Areas of Concentration

  • Technology. Software (SaaS, SaaP, enterprise, cloud), network, system, cybersecurity, encryption, e-commerce, merchant, gateway and payment systems, cloud-based offerings and other emerging technologies, including hosting, co-location, service level, support, development, distribution, manufacturing, reseller and distribution arrangements.
  • Outsourcing and Complex Services. Domestic and international outsourcing, professional and master service agreements for technology services, financial, accounting, assurance and advisory services, customer/client relationship management (CRM), product manufacturing and logistics, and data processing and analytics.
  • 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 terms and point of sale, payment card and merchant arrangements.
  • Licensing and Intellectual Property. Product, service and intellectual property (patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, domain name, proprietary rights) licensing, leasing, distribution, administration, monetization, sales, escrow, co-ownership, royalty, commission, marketing, security, development, service and exploitation arrangements, including applications, filings, registrations, liens, releases and related due diligence, searches and compliance matters.
  • Digital Content.  Digital audio/audio-visual content licensing, distribution, development, monetization, production  and syndication initiatives, including “over-the-top”, EST, VOD (subscription, ad-supported, transactional, free), TVEverywhere, digital lockering, second screen platforms, automatic content recognition (ACR), SmartTV integrations, and authentication, fingerprinting, watermarking and security matters.
  • Advertising and Promotions. Marketing, branding, advertising and promotional initiatives, including linear, online and digital ad serving, insertion, syndication, monetization and distribution arrangements, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), dynamic advertising solutions (insertion, swapping, overlay), outdoor advertising, traditional and new media sweepstakes and contest administration, including rules preparation, fulfillment, bonding and registration.
  • Social Media and Publishing. Online social media networks, content publisher and developer platforms, and crowd sourced and user-generated content platforms, including data collection, information scraping and targeted advertising, digital content screening, moderation and filtering, online and social media polices, terms of use/service agreements, privacy policies, end user license agreements and CDA and DMCA-related matters.
  • 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 online platform operators.
  • Interactive Entertainment. Video game, augmented/virtual reality, interactive entertainment and land-based gaming development, publishing, distribution, sales, marketing and merchandising arrangements across all platforms, including handheld and mobile devices, platform consoles (PS4, Xbox, Wii, iOS, Android) and online platforms.
  • Data and Privacy. Privacy, data and information security matters, including domestic and international data collection, use, storage, processing, transfer and disclosure requirements (Privacy Shield, CAN-SPAM, COPPA, PCI DSS, GDRP, HIPAA), data analytics, mining and warehousing arrangements, customer/client relationship management (CRM) solutions, internal and consumer facing privacy policies and legal and regulatory compliance review.
  • Logistics and Manufacturing. Retail and industrial product and equipment manufacturing, sourcing, distribution, procurement, import/export, logistics, warehousing, storage, labeling, packaging, transport, carriage, tracking and shipping transactions, including product warranty and safety documentation, instruction and product manuals and legal and regulatory compliance review.
  • Not-for-profit. Charitable foundation, not-for-profit, NGO, commercial co-ventures and other philanthropic entity grant, award, research, funding, project, collaboration and marketing arrangements, including partnerships, affiliations, international office establishment, online funding and social media initiatives and data administration and monetization.
  • Music. Major and independent music publishing, record label, performing rights, music artist, writer, touring, endorsement, merchandising, management, “360” and similar arrangements, including distribution, licensing, synchronization and performance across all major platforms, including broadcast and cable TV, film, digital music services, performance venues and other online platforms.
  • 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.

Recognition

  • Ranked by Chambers USA 2018 in New York, Media & Entertainment: Corporate as Recognised Practitioner

Professional Activities

  • Programming Committee, Copyright Society of the USA
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, New York State Bar Association

Speaking Engagements, Publications and Lectures

  • Awarded, “Deal Marker” Report, Variety Magazine, December 2017, http://variety.com/gallery/dealmakers-impact-report-2017-variety/
  • Mentioned, “Netflix's First Acquisition: 'Kingsman' Comics Publisher, Hollywood Reporter, August 2017, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/netflixs-first-acquisition-kingsman-comics-publisher-1027202
  • Mentioned, “Netflix's First Acquisition: Boosts Comics Portfolio”, The Deal, August 2017, https://s3.amazonaws.com/hhr-web/files/netflixsfirst_final.pdf AND https://pipeline.thedeal.com/article/14259274/index.dl
  • Mentioned (Espanol), “Netflix cierra su primera compra: Acuerdo con el editor de cómics Millarworld”, The Daily Television, August 2017 http://www.thedailytelevision.com/articulo/new-media/netflix-cierra-su-primera-compra-acuerdo-con-el-editor-de-comics-millarworld 
  • Mentioned, “MSG Makes First Outright Acquisition With Entertainment Tech Firm Obscura”, TheStreet, November 25, 2017, https://www.thestreet.com/story/14400318/1/msg-makes-first-outright-acquisition-with-entertainment-tech-firm-obscura.html
  • 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/2012/12/25/business/real-and-virtual-firearms-nurture-marketing-link.html
  • 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/unitedstates/article.asp?articleid=93006 
  • 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
  • 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
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
Hughes Hubbard Assists Cipla in Acquisition of Avenue Therapeutics
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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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
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Awards
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Firm Helps JD Sports Expand in US With Finish Line Acquisition
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Advises Grab in Acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia Business
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Advises Wipro in $405M Sale of Data Center Services Business
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Deals & Matters
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Annual Review: Key Results from 2017
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Awards |
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Diversity |
People
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Firm Negotiates Fashion Endorsement Deal With Nick Jonas
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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
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Awards
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Firm Advises Greenbriar in Sale of Transplace to TPG Capital
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Represents Millarworld in Netflix's First-Ever Acquisition
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Reps MSG in Purchase of Majority Stake in Esports Company
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Deals & Matters
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​Firm Advises MSG in Purchase of Majority Stake in Tao Group
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2016 Annual Review: Key Results
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People
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Firm Advises Arsia Therapeutics in Sale to Eagle Pharma
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Guides Wafra Capital in Acquisition of Oxford Finance
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Firm Reps Madison Square Garden in Deal With Boston Calling Events
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Advises Australia's Brambles in LeanLogistics Sale
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Reps Epic Pharma in $550M Sale to Humanwell, PuraCap
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Assists Wipro in Purchase of HealthPlan Services
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Fuels Investor Group's Purchase of Pure Power Technologies
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Promotes Two to Partnership and Five to Counsel
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People
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Firm Guides Transplace's Purchase of M33 Integrated
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Represents ITT in its Acquisition of Wolverine Advanced Materials
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Assists Heartland Food in Purchase of Iconic Splenda Sweetener Brand
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Advises India’s Cipla in $550M Deal for 2 US Firms
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 ITT in Purchase of Hartzell Aerospace
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Assists in Sale of T-Cell Factory to Kite Pharma
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Advises Merck in $9.5B Deal to Buy Cubist
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Advises AMC in $200M Investment in BBC America
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Deals & Matters
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​Hughes Hubbard Helps Viacom Acquire Stake in Defy Media
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Hughes Hubbard Guides Bureau Veritas in Purchase of Maxxam
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​Hughes Hubbard Advises MSG in Strategic Deal With Tribeca Enterprises
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Hughes Hubbard Clears Runway for Frontier Sale to Indigo
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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
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TransGaming Acquires Oberon Media's TV Game Division
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Deals & Matters
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Matt Syrkin and Dan Schnapp Participate in Copyright Society Panel on Cloud Computing
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Firm Helps TED Prize Winner Launch Global Art Initiative
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Deals & Matters
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Matt Syrkin Speaks on Panel at Princeton Club
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Matthew Syrkin Partner
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Matt Syrkin Speaks on Panel at NYC Bar Center
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Hughes Hubbard Represents Fortune Tobacco in Joint Venture with Philip Morris
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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
  • 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
Digital Trade & Customs
Latin America
Media, Technology & Commercial Transactions
Mergers & Acquisitions
Patent, Trademark & Copyright Litigation

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

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*In cooperation with Saud Advogados

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