Robert Darwell

Entertainment, Technology and Advertising

Robert Darwell is the Head of Global Media and a senior partner in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's Century City office.

2022 has proven to be another banner year for Darwell and his team. After previously representing Hemisphere Media Group in connection with its acquisition of Lionsgate’s 75% interest in the Spanish language SVOD platform Pantaya and distribution company Pantelion, Darwell worked on its subsequent sale to client TelevisaUnivision. He represented Amazon in connection with its acquisition of MGM, Amazon’s second largest acquisition in history. The team worked tirelessly to analyze and diligence the treasured MGM library and studio assets. The transaction closed in March of 2022 and Darwell and his colleagues having been working with their in house counterparts on the integration of the revered library into Amazon Studios. Darwell also represented TelevisaUnivision in connection with its 2022 AVOD and SVOD platform launch of Vix and Vix+. On top of that, Darwell also guided Amazon Studios, Wondery, Nickelodeon, Disney, Peacock and Meta in connection with numerous high-profile movie, television, podcast and metaverse projects.

Over the course of Darwell's legal career, he’s worked on the development, finance, production and distribution of hundreds of motion pictures and television productions (including personal favorites such as “Traffic”, “Brokeback Mountain”, and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”). In addition, he regularly handles major newsworthy deals such as Disney’s termination of Bob and Harvey Weinstein (which garnered him the prestigious CLAY Award as California Entertainment Lawyer of the Year for Entertainment) and Disney’s subsequent sale of Miramax. Darwell also acted as lead entertainment counsel to Comcast in connection with its acquisition of NBC Universal.

Darwell brought his team to Sheppard Mullin in 2003 and served as Chair of the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising practice for more than a decade as it achieved accolades such as Top Tier ranked by Chambers and US Legal 500, as well as Entertainment Practice Group of the Year by Law 360.

Through the years, Darwell launched several specialty practices in the areas of advertising, fashion, and art law and has handled transactions that reflect the intersection of those verticals as well as those in sports, music, gaming, merchandising and mobile/digital areas. He represents clients in all segments of these businesses around the world.

Darwell studied law at Georgetown in Washington, DC and focused his studies on international trade. While there, he worked for the Attaché de Presse at the French Embassy and for DC powerhouse law firm Wilmer Cutler (where he had the opportunity to assist Lloyd Cutler, who served as counsel to President Carter).

At Georgetown, Darwell took the only entertainment course offered at that time and, following the tragic deaths of Vic Morrow and two child actors on the set of “The Twilight Zone” movie, wrote his seminar paper on the employment of minors in the entertainment industry. Its publication coincided with the birth of the first of his three children. Upon graduation, Darwell moved to Los Angeles and combined his passion for entertainment and media with his interest in international business and finance.

Darwell travels and works regularly from locations around the world. Always reachable, clients praise his availability at all hours and dedication to service and excellence. Darwell is invited regularly to speak at international film festivals, including at the Toronto, Zurich, Havana, Beijing, Shanghai and Rome International Film Festivals, among others.

When not negotiating and drafting, Darwell may be found in the DJ booth (on Sunset Boulevard, in Mexico City, Paris, or Zurich) or taking photos for his popular Instagram feed @TheDailyServer. Recently, Darwell completed directing his first documentary film “The 90s Club”, which strikes a hard blow against ageism. In the wisdom of the ages film, Darwell interviews a dozen diverse individuals between the ages of 90-99, who speak unflinchingly about love, life, and loss. The film screened in dozens of festivals and garnered numerous awards. His second film, “Black Uniform”, will make the rounds in 2023.

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1988, magna cum laude

B.A., Arizona State University, 1985, summa cum laude

French Language Program, Sorbonne (University of Paris), 1985