On the eve of its first courtroom clash with Charlie Sheen, Warner Bros. announced the hiring of top attorney Mark Easton as its deputy general counsel.
The timing of the announcement is coincidental, but it occurs as Warner Bros. TV is being closely watched in its fight with the former "Two and a Half Men" star. Attorneys for Sheen and the studio will go to court Tuesday in a hearing that will address whether Sheen's $100 million suit against his former employers will be held in court or arbitration.
Also read: Sheen Not in Talks to Return to 'Two and a Half Men,' Lawyers Say
Easton will work closely with general counsel John Rogovin to supervise the studio's legal
support and on long-term growth strategies and business plans.
"Mark is one of the preeminent transactional lawyers in the country with broad legal experience and knowledge of our businesses,” said Rogovin. “His seasoned skill
set and tactical approach will make him a terrific Deputy General Counsel and a great
addition to our team.”
Easton joins Warner Bros. from O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where he was a
partner in the Los Angeles office and member of the mergers and acquisitions
practice.
Easton, who has been named one of the Top 100 Leading Lawyers in California by the
Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, was also named one of America’s Leading Lawyers for Business by Chambers USA.
His undergraduate degree is from Swarthmore College, and he holds a Master’s in Public
Affairs from Princeton, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.