Power Players Behind the Pen – Who’s Representing Screenwriters in 2025

Spotlighting attorneys who represent screenwriters, writer-directors, or screenwriter-showrunners in major deals:

As Hollywood undergoes seismic shifts in deal-making, this year’s Power Lawyers list from The Hollywood Reporter names several attorneys who are actively shaping screenwriters’ careers across film and TV. Whether it’s negotiating major IP adaptations, securing lucrative overall deals, or protecting creators in litigation, these are the names screenwriters need to know.

If you’re a working or aspiring screenwriter, study who’s repping the top showrunners and screenwriter-directors. These lawyers shape careers, protect IP, and are the key to packaging your work at the highest levels. Your writing may be art — but the business side is a legal battlefield.

Screenwriter Watchlist – 2025 Power Lawyers Edition

1. Jeffrey Frankel (McKuin Frankel & Whitehead)

Reps Joanna Calo (The Bear), Jared Bush (Moana), Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown), and Alan Yang (Loot). Secured deals for TV overalls and animation exec roles. A go-to for writer-producers and auteur showrunners.

Screenwriter tip: A strong relationship with a manager or lawyer who reps other top-tier creatives can be an asset in aligning with premium networks.

2. Jamie Mandelbaum (Jackoway Austen)

Closed major overalls: Zach Kanin at HBO, Bruce Miller (The Handmaid’s Tale) at Hulu, Sam Shaw (Manhattan) for Netflix’s JFK. Sees resurgence in top-tier writer deals despite market contraction.

Screenwriter tip: Strong samples and prior success still open doors for overall deals—even in a tighter market.

3. Darren Trattner (Jackoway Austen)