Century City-based law firm Loeb & Loeb LLP kicked off a new leadership reign last week, with the firm chairmanship returning in part to its home office.
Arash Khalili, who has spent 20 years at the Century City office, is now co-chair of the eight-office firm. Alongside him is Mitchell Nussbaum, who hails from the firm’s other major office, which is in New York. The two were previously co-chairs of the firm’s capital markets and corporate practice group.
“We’ve fortified a deep working relationship, and I can say the collective group has become a very strong group within the firm,” Khalili said. “We’ve had the good fortune of working together for many years in senior management.”
The pair succeed Kenneth Florin, who is now chair emeritus of the firm.
Formed in 1909, Loeb & Loeb is among the longest-standing law firms in Los Angeles and built its reputation helping grow the entertainment industry develop here. It was a standalone L.A. firm until 1986, when a merger brought it to the New York market. Subsequent expansions include Nashville, Chicago, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Beijing and Hong Kong.
Loeb & Loeb was No. 9 on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s list of law firms by local attorney headcount last year.
“I think it’s really exciting for the firm, given that our roots are in Los Angeles,” Khalili said. “I think leadership having a seat here is really important for the firm.”
Khalili joined Loeb & Loeb in 2004, when it absorbed the Beverly Hills firm he was an associate with. He recalled that one of his practice group partners at that time had previously served as co-chair, and it was meaningful to him that he ultimately rose to that leadership role 20 years later.
“For me, Loeb was always the firm that I wanted to join, being an L.A. native,” Khalili said. “It’s a special moment for me and I’m grateful for the opportunity the lead this firm. I think Loeb is an exceptional law firm with exceptional lawyers.”
Nussbaum joined Loeb & Loeb 22 years ago, and previously served as the New York managing partner. He also helped found the Beijing and Hong Kong offices.
“Loeb is an exceptional firm with best-in-class practices and culture, top legal talent and an entrepreneurial energy that is second to none,” Nussbaum said in a statement. “Our platform offers tremendous opportunity, and we’re excited about all we’ll accomplish together in the future.”
With the pair sharing the chair duties, they will continue to work their respective practices. Khalili said the natural locations for growth in the immediate future are in capital markets – one of the firm’s largest – as well as the sports practice group, which he co-founded.
A Loeb & Loeb team – led by Khalili – last year represented Sawtelle production company Vin Di Bona Productions and its sister studio FishBowl Worldwide Media in their sale to New York private equity firm Clarion Capital Partners. The companies, founded by Chief Executive Vin Di Bona, are most known for the daytime show “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” which is currently airing its 34th season.
