Sterlington Expands Corporate Practice with Addition of High-Profile Dealmaker Lawrence Waks

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sterlington PLLC announced today that Lawrence A. Waks, a leading corporate lawyer renowned for advising A-list celebrities, global brands, and businesses on high-stakes M&A and strategic transactions, has joined the firm as a partner. Waks’ addition strengthens Sterlington’s growing corporate practice, particularly in the entertainment, media, and food & beverage sectors.

“Larry is a highly respected dealmaker who has been at the center of some of the most high-profile celebrity-backed transactions in recent years,” said Christopher S. Harrison, managing partner of Sterlington. “His ability to bridge the worlds of entertainment, celebrity brands, and corporate dealmaking makes him a natural fit for our firm as we continue to build a platform that caters to top-tier clients across industries.”

Amongst the many deals that Waks has worked on in recent years, he advised founders George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman on the $1 billion sale of their Casamigos Tequila brand to Diageo, achieving the highest return on investment in spirits industry history. He also advised on the $600 million sale of Aviation Gin (part-owned by Ryan Reynolds) to Diageo and the sale of Conor McGregor’s Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey to Proximo Spirits. His experience spans M&A, joint ventures, and intellectual property transactions across the entertainment, media, food & beverage, retail, and consumer goods industries.

“Sterlington offers a dynamic and entrepreneurial platform that aligns perfectly with my practice and my clients’ needs,” said Waks. “The firm’s innovative culture and top-tier talent make it an ideal place for me to continue advising high-profile clients on their most complex and significant transactions.”

Waks’ arrival is part of Sterlington’s ongoing growth strategy. In the past six months, the firm has added a series of notable lateral partners, including Robert Ray, the former federal prosecutor who succeeded Kenneth Starr as independent counsel; Jonathan Sherman, a decorated litigator who spent much of his career at Boies Schiller Flexner; Courtney Rockett, another highly regarded longtime Boies Schiller litigator; Michael Smith, an international corporate lawyer; Jesse Sherrett, an international arbitration lawyer from A&O Shearman; and Paul Jebely, a leading private aviation attorney serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

Before joining Sterlington, Waks was a partner at Reed Smith and Foley & Lardner, with earlier experience at Jackson Walker and Milgrim Thomajan & Lee. Waks serves as a member of the governing committee of the ABA Entertainment and Sports Law Forum. He has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer and is listed in Best Lawyers in America. He holds a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law and a B.Sc. (Hons) from Trinity University. He is admitted to practice in Texas and New York and is fluent in Spanish, French, Russian, and Portuguese.

About Sterlington

Sterlington PLLC is an international law firm focusing on complex corporate, litigation, and transactional matters. By offering high-level legal expertise and customized client solutions, the firm helps clients around the world achieve their business goals. Visit us at www.sterlingtonlaw.com.