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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 the global chair of Hughes Hubbard’s Media, Technology and Commercial Transactions Group and co-chair of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Group.

Matthew’s practice focuses on providing strategic business and legal counsel to clients across a wide range of industries on commercial and corporate transactions involving the convergence of technology, media, entertainment and financial services.

Clients levering cutting-edge and emerging technologies frequently turn to Matthew for his deep experience in structuring and negotiating innovative technology-driven agreements, including first-of-its kind and future-proofing transactions.

Recognized as one of the leading technology and media attorneys in the country, Matthew has repeatedly been named an “Elite Dealmaker”, “Impact Lawyer” and “NY Elite Dealmaker” by Variety Magazine. The Hollywood Reporter has named him to its “Power Lawyers” list of the top 100 lawyers in the industry, praising him as a “new kind of [industry] lawyer – an entertainment-tech hybrid”.

Matthew’s unique combination of tech expertise and “on the ground” industry experience working in-house, has been praised by Chambers and The Legal 500 for delivering “unique insights” to clients on complex business and operational matters.

Recent representative matters include:

  • Roku in its acquisition of Nielsen’s advanced video advertising business (including its video automatic content recognition (ACR) technology and dynamic ad insertion (DAI) systems) and a long-term strategic media measurement and data licensing arrangement.
  • Auction house Sotheby’s in launching its NFT marketplace, the “Sotheby’s Metaverse,” including an NFT platform development arrangement, a strategic investment transaction with NFT development studio, Mojito, and sports and entertainment licensing engagements.
  • WarnerMedia in a variety of OTT platform-focused license, online payment, data analytics, platform service and subscriber agreements for the launch of HBO Max in its first international territory—Latin America. 
  • Madison Square Garden Corp in the development of the next generation of film, music and entertainment technology for the “Sphere” venues, including development and manufacturing agreements for the world’s highest-resolution camera system for the largest LED screen ever created.
  • Airlines Reporting Corp. (owned by the major U.S. airlines) in the development of a transportation industry-focused blockchain solution for the booking, payment and maintenance of ticketing and reservations, including collaborations with major airlines and blockchain technology developers.

Matthew is a recognized authority, speaker and author on the business and legal aspects of emerging technologies, interactive entertainment and intellectual property. He has co-authored books on technology transactions, contributed articles to major publications and been quoted in the New York Times on technology law. He has also served on high-profile panels and been a keynote speaker at industry conferences, including DCM East and the Global Latin America Marketing Summit.

Prior to joining Hughes Hubbard, Matthew worked on technology and media transactions in the legal departments at Major League Baseball, News Corporation and TiVo, Inc., and later served as lead counsel on secondment to acclaimed video game developer, Harmonix, creators of the “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” franchises. 

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, Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and NFTs. Financial services-driven payments, banking, cryptocurrency and card solutions and technologies, including NFTs, wallets, merchant, gateways and e-commerce solutions (blockchain, distributed ledger, crowd-funded), point of sale and fraud detection solutions.
  • 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 arrangements across mobile, console, online and Smart TV platforms.
  • Digital TV, Film and Entertainment Content. Film, television, program, event and performance licensing, distribution, production, affiliate, carriage and syndication initiatives with cable networks/operators, distributors, programmers, MVPDs, wireless carriers, device manufacturers and OTT platform operators.
  • Outsourcing and Managed Services. Cross-border outsourcing, professional, and managed service agreements for complex IT (software and platform development, hosting and support), financial, accounting, assurance, back office, CRM, product manufacturing and data analytics-based services and platforms. 
  • Advertising Technology and Digital Content Solutions.  Advanced digital marketing and “ad tech” solutions, including dynamic ad insertion, automatic content recognition, OEM integrations, video/audio fingerprint, identification and recognition technology, measurement and metadata analytics/metrics, DSP solutions, and digital ad purchase, publishing and distribution arrangements.  
  • 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 and next generation technology integration.
  • Data Privacy and Cybersecurity. Data privacy, IT and cybersecurity matters, including customer data collection, processing, transfer and disclosure requirements, alternative data licensing, analytics, monetization, sourcing and warehousing arrangements, internal and consumer-facing privacy policies and regulatory compliance review and diligence.
  • Corporate and Strategic Alliances. Joint ventures, strategic alliances, share and asset transactions, mergers, business combinations, security and credit agreements, co-branding and collaboration agreements, executive compensation, employment and independent contractor agreements and other corporate arrangements.

Recent Awards and Recognition

  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's "Legal Impact" Report, Variety Magazine, April 2022
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's "Impact Dealmaker" Report, Variety Magazine, December 2021 
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Hollywood Reporter's "Power Lawyers" List, The Hollywood Reporter, May 2021
  • Ranked and Awarded, Chambers USA 2021 in New York, Media & Entertainment, Chambers and Partners
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Legal 500 USA 2021 in New York, Media and Entertainment, Legal 500
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's "Legal Impact" Report, Variety Magazine, April 2021
  • Ranked and Awarded, Chambers USA 2020 in New York, Media & Entertainment, Chambers and Partners
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Legal 500 USA 2020 in New York, Media and Entertainment, Legal 500
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's "Impact Dealmaker" Report, Variety Magazine, December 2020
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's "Legal Impact" Report, Variety Magazine, July 2020
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Legal 500 USA 2019 in New York, Media and Entertainment, Legal 500
  • Ranked and Awarded, Chambers USA 2019 in New York, Media & Entertainment, Chambers and Partners
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's “Impact Dealmaker” Report, Variety Magazine, December 2019
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's “Dealmakers Elite New York” Report, Variety Magazine, September 2019 
  • Awarded, "Most Innovative Deal of the Year", The Deal Awards Short List, June 2018
  • Featured Profile,Law360 - “3 Reasons Attorneys Should Learn a Foreign Language”, Law360, August 2018
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Legal 500 USA 2018 in New York, Media and Entertainment, Legal 500 
  • Ranked and Awarded, Chambers USA 2018 in New York, Media & Entertainment, Chambers and Partners 
  • Ranked and Awarded, Variety's “Impact Dealmaker” Report, Variety Magazine, September 2017 
  • Ranked and Awarded, The Legal 500 USA 2017 in New York, Media and Entertainment, Legal 500 
  • Ranked and Awarded, Chambers USA 2017 in New York, Media & Entertainment, Chambers and Partners 

Speaking Engagements, Publications and Lectures

  • Featured Profile, Law360 - "3 Reasons Attorneys Should Learn a Foreign Language", August 2018
  • Writer, "Drastic Shifts Seen in Endorsement Deals Between Celebrities and Fashion Labels", California Apparel News, February 15, 2018 
  • Speaker, "2018 Latin America Marketing Summit", February 7-8, 2018 
  • Mentioned, "Netflix's First Acquisition: 'Kingsman' Comics Publisher", Hollywood Reporter, August 2017
  • Mentioned, "Netflix's First Acquisition: Boosts Comics Portfolio", The Deal, August 2017, and "Netflix’s First Acquisition: Boosts Comics Portfolio", Amazon News, August 2017 
  • Mentioned (Espanol), "Netflix cierra su primera compra: Acuerdo con el editor de cómics Millarworld", The Daily Television, August 2017
  • Mentioned,"MSG Makes First Outright Acquisition With Entertainment Tech Firm Obscura", TheStreet, November 25, 2017
  • 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, 
  • Speaker and Moderator, "Television and Disruptive Technologies: Copyright’s New Frontier", Copyright Society of the USA, December 11, 2012, presentation video online
  • 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  
  • 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

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 Advises Cenveo on Sale of Custom Labels Group to Brook + Whittle
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Deals & Matters |
People
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Matthew Syrkin Again Recognized As a Leading Lawyer by Variety
News & Events |
Awards |
People
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Matthew Syrkin Again Named to Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report
News & Events |
Awards
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Hughes Hubbard Partner Matthew Syrkin Named to The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers List
News & Events |
Awards
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HHR Advises Tao Group Hospitality in Combination With Hakkasan Group
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Firm Leads Grab in Going Public Via De-SPACing Merger at $40B Pro-Forma Valuation
News & Events |
Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Partner Matthew Syrkin Again Named to Variety’s Legal Impact Report
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People
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Firm Guides ANI Pharmaceuticals in Deal to Buy Novitium Pharma
News & Events
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Firm Advises Roku on Strategic Alliance With Nielsen
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Assists Cantor Fitzgerald SPAC in Proposed Merger With AEye
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Advises JD Sports in Deal to Buy DTLR Villa
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Helps Grab Raise $2B in First Term Loan
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Firm Assists JD Sports in Purchase of Shoe Palace and Nice Kicks
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Deals & Matters
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​Hughes Hubbard’s Matthew Syrkin Named to Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report 2020
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People
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Firm Advises Platinum Equity in Nesco’s $1.48B Deal
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Leads Cantor Fitzgerald SPAC in Merger With View
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Reps Turnitin in Deal to Buy ExamSoft
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Reps Global IT Leader Infosys in Acquisition of Kaleidoscope Innovation
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Advises Cantor Fitzgerald SPAC in $2B Merger With GCM Grosvenor
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard Partner Matthew Syrkin Named to Variety’s Legal Impact Report List
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People
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Firm Helps Grab Raise Over $700M From Japan’s MUFG
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Shortlisted for Two Honors in The Deal Awards Middle Market 2020
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Awards
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Hughes Hubbard Advises Global IT Leader Infosys in Acquisition of Simplus
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Deals & Matters
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Hughes Hubbard’s Matthew Syrkin and Ken Lefkowitz Named to Variety’s “Dealmakers Impact Report” 2019
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Awards
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Hughes Hubbard Honored Twice in The Deal’s Cross-Border Asia Awards
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Awards
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Hughes Hubbard Inks Groundbreaking Deal Between Led Zeppelin and John Varvatos
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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
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Guides Daimler in Acquisition of Self-Driving Technology Company Torc Robotics
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Deals & Matters
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Firm Negotiates Game of Thrones Partnership Between HBO and John Varvatos
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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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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
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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 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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​Firm Advises MSG in Purchase of Majority Stake in Tao Group
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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 Assists Greenbriar in SEKO Logistics Investment
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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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Deals & Matters
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​Hughes Hubbard Advises MSG in Strategic Deal With Tribeca Enterprises
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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.
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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
News & Events
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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
News & Events
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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Deals & Matters
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Winning the Digital Race in Latin America
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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
  • Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, Certificate
  • Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, Certificate
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

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  • Washington, D.C.

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