Manatt Grows Digital and Technology Offerings with Arrival of Dealmaker in New York

Vejay Lalla brings AI, venture capital, entertainment and consumer technology experience to Manatt

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, today announced the arrival of Partner Vejay Lalla to the Firm’s Digital and Technology Transactions team. With over 25 years of experience partnering with high-growth founders, funders, executives, athletes and talent across technology, intellectual property and digital media transactions, Lalla strengthens Manatt’s offerings at the intersection of technology transactions and venture capital. He advises clients, ranging from emerging companies to Fortune 500 businesses, on how to develop, protect and commercialize their enterprise and consumer technology products and innovative offerings.

“Vejay’s understanding of consumer tech is unparalleled, and his background in corporate dealmaking paired with his experience as a trusted business advisor for clients looking to harness technologies like AI make him a tremendous fit to our growing Digital and Technology Group,” said Manatt CEO and Managing Partner Donna L. Wilson. “We have been strategically expanding our capabilities in this space across the country, so Vejay’s arrival complements and strengthens our ability to help clients embrace innovation in the media, entertainment, advertising and technology sectors.”

With experience throughout a variety of sectors—from enterprise technology to digital health, fintech, gaming, consumer and hospitality, health and wellness, fashion and beauty, and entertainment and sports—Lalla is an experienced legal and business advisor to venture-backed, high-growth businesses and their investors. In particular, he has represented many of the top Silicon Valley public and private companies invest in and acquire technology startups and has helped leading artificial intelligence (AI), enterprise and consumer technology startups scale their businesses and commercialize their products from inception. He counsels and negotiates complex deals—including enterprise software and hardware agreements, strategic technology partnerships, data licensing, and integrations—and assists clients with harnessing and commercializing nascent technologies in the context of their businesses.

“With a sophisticated understanding of the legal and business challenges facing startup entrepreneurs and industry-leading executives alike, Vejay provides a unique perspective on the media and technology environment, particularly with how technology impacts consumers,” said Manatt Digital and Technology Leader Thomas Michael. "Vejay strengthens our already robust offerings within our Digital and Technology Transactions team, led by Eric Bergner, and expands our impressive Digital and Technology roster, following the recent arrival of AI and data protection partner Tod Cohen and trademark and intellectual property partner Lisa Rosaya, who joined last year. He will also add to our growing AI practice, which has been expanding over the last few years and is led by privacy and data security partner Paul Luehr and national advisor Tim Andrews.”

Lalla’s additional experience in the creator economy across advertising, media and entertainment enables him to help clients create value for their businesses and build their brands in the highly competitive tech landscape. He has extensive knowledge in copyright, trademark, right of publicity and privacy in both traditional content mediums—such as film and television—as well in mobile applications, social platforms and how new technologies are disrupting the economy. He assists clients with content distribution, licensing, talent and influencer arrangements, in addition to advising on commercial and regulatory issues, including U.S. Federal Trade Commission regulations on native advertising, endorsements, influencer marketing and promotions. Lalla also frequently speaks on advertising, intellectual property, regulatory and related considerations in AI, consumer protection, marketing and brand protection and works with numerous incubators, accelerators, venture funds and studios as a mentor, advisor and dealmaker.

“With developments in technology and AI in particular continuing to remain at the forefront for clients, Manatt is ahead of the curve by embracing innovation through its hybrid legal and consulting model and its business advisory and value-centric focus,” said Lalla. “I am thrilled to be part of a trusted national platform with deep capabilities across consumer technology, financial services, entertainment, sports and health care, and I look forward to working with Manatt’s impressive team to continue helping meet clients where they are and find successful solutions to their most pressing needs in this fast-paced and technology-driven economy.”

Lalla joins the Firm’s roster of legal and consulting professionals who have also joined over the last year across core industry sectors, including Cross-Industry Corporate and Finance (Bill Broome); Digital and Technology (Tod Cohen); Financial Services (Warren Biro, Haley Fiallo, Mike Katz, Jessica Sklute, Troy Zander); Government and Regulatory (Richard Leib); Health Care (Haider Andazola, Patrick Brennan, Doug Brown, Tom Cassels, Pat Cerundolo, Richard Cho, Christina (Chrissy) Farr, Dr. Shamiram (Shami) Feinglass, Erin Estey Hertzog, Kendall Hussey, Jason Klimek, Anna Lansky, Ross Margulies, John O’Brien, Tina Papagiannopoulos, Lisa Sbrana, Melindah Sharma, Alexander Somodevilla, Joshua Tauber, Jerome (Jerry) Tichner, Mark Wietecha, and Shaina Zurlin); and Cross-Industry Litigation (Schuyler G. Carroll and Kareem A. Salem).

Lalla earned his J.D. from Cardozo School of Law and his B.A. from Boston University.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is a leading professional services firm, providing integrated legal and consulting services to a global client base. With offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and Silicon Valley), New York (New York City and Albany), Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston, the Firm represents sophisticated clients—including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies—across a range of industry sectors such as health care; financial services; entertainment; digital and technology; and energy, environmental and real estate. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.

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