Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has expanded its litigation team by appointing Tamerlin “Tammy” Godley as a partner in its Los Angeles office. Godley, previously with Paul Hastings LLP, will chair Willkie’s Entertainment Litigation Practice Group. She brings extensive experience representing studios, networks, and Fortune 500 companies in complex business disputes and sensitive internal investigations. Her practice also includes advising high-profile clients on asset protection and crisis management, often resolving issues without resorting to litigation. Godley has received multiple accolades from legal and entertainment industry publications for her work. ([willkie.com](https://www.willkie.com/news/2026/02/willkie-adds-entertainment-litigator-tamerlin-godley-in-los-angeles?utm_source=openai))
Alex Weingarten, Managing Partner of Willkie’s Los Angeles office, highlighted Godley’s addition as a significant enhancement to the firm’s West Coast practice, emphasizing her exceptional track record in the media and entertainment industry. Godley expressed enthusiasm about joining Willkie’s global litigation platform and contributing to its growing entertainment practice. ([willkie.com](https://www.willkie.com/news/2026/02/willkie-adds-entertainment-litigator-tamerlin-godley-in-los-angeles?utm_source=openai))
Since its establishment in 2021, Willkie’s Los Angeles office has grown to include over 100 lawyers specializing in corporate and M&A transactions, real estate, private wealth, tax, and litigation. The office serves a diverse clientele, including management companies, production studios, networks, streaming services, music brands, gaming and esports developers, and social media platforms. ([willkie.com](https://www.willkie.com/locations/los-angeles?utm_source=openai))
Godley’s appointment follows Willkie’s strategic expansion in the entertainment sector. In May 2025, the firm added Beau Stapleton, a leading music and entertainment transactional attorney, as a partner in Los Angeles. Stapleton’s practice encompasses the music, film, television, and digital industries, representing artists, studios, investment firms, media companies, directors, producers, publishers, and composers. ([willkie.com](https://www.willkie.com/news/2025/05/willkie-adds-music-and-entertainment-transactions-partner-beau-stapleton-in-los-angeles?utm_source=openai))
Willkie’s Los Angeles office, launched in September 2021, has rapidly expanded its presence in the market. The initial team included partners Alan Epstein, Michele Mulrooney, and Alex Weingarten, who brought extensive experience in corporate transactions, private wealth, and litigation. The office has since grown to approximately 40 lawyers, including 10 partners, 3 counsel, and 26 associates, servicing clients in corporate and M&A transactions, private wealth, estates and trusts, litigation, and tax. ([willkie.com](https://www.willkie.com/news/2021/09/willkie-launches-los-angeles-office?utm_source=openai))
In contrast, Paul Hastings LLP has also been active in strengthening its entertainment and media practice. In January 2025, the firm added Sidney S. Fohrman as a partner and chair of its Music Industry Practice in Los Angeles. Fohrman, who joined from Willkie Farr & Gallagher, focuses on complex entertainment industry transactions, including recording and music publishing agreements, music catalog transactions, and content deals. ([paulhastings.com](https://www.paulhastings.com/news/paul-hastings-boosts-band-1-entertainment-and-media-practice-with-leading?utm_source=openai))
These strategic moves by both firms underscore the competitive landscape in the entertainment law sector, as leading law firms continue to bolster their capabilities to serve clients in the dynamic media and entertainment industries.