Lesley Freeman Named AGBO Chief Legal Officer

Lesley Freeman is joining AGBO as their Chief Legal Officer.

Most recently, VP of Legal at Amazon MGM Studios, Freeman will oversee all aspects of the Joe and Anthony Russo studio’s business and legal affairs around the world as the company expands its global physical production, virtual production, gaming, and immersive technology footprint. Partners Donald
Mustard and Chris Brearton, along with the Russos made the announcement today.

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Prior to serving as VP of Legal at Amazon MGM Studios, Freeman was Chief Legal Officer at MGM and functioned as a key member of the team responsible for the studio’s $8.45 billion sale to Amazon. Prior to joining MGM, Freeman spent nearly a decade at HBO as SVP of Legal Affairs and previously served as Senior Counsel in the entertainment, sports and media department at O’Melveny & Myers LLP in LA.

“AGBO’s bold strategy of transcending the conventional boundaries of storytelling and exploring new creative frontiers in an ever-evolving media landscape necessitates leaders with sophistication, expertise and a history of success in high-pressure scenarios. Lesley, with her distinguished track record, visionary mindset, and extensive background with leading media companies, is just that –– making her an indispensable asset to our team,” said Chris Brearton, Partner at AGBO. “I’ve worked with Lesley for many years and know firsthand what an exceptional leader she will be for AGBO’s next phase of accelerated growth and innovation.”

“This is a transformative moment for the entertainment industry and an exciting time to join AGBO, a modern trailblazer relentlessly committed to its vision of an artist-led future,” said Freeman. “I look forward to joining the team and helping to shape a contemporary and forward-looking legal framework for this new era of innovation.”

Freeman’s team of attorneys at AGBO include:

• Michael Bogner, SVP of Business and Legal Affairs – A 15-year entertainment industry vet, Bogner was previously Director of Business and Legal Affairs for scripted series at Netflix, the home of AGBO’s Extraction franchise and the Russo Brothers-directed film The Gray Man. Previous, Bogner served as VP and Senior Counsel of Legal Affairs at HBO under Freeman, covering acquisitions, comedy series, live events, and documentaries. Bogner will focus on AGBO’s ongoing expansion across scripted, non-scripted and local language series.

• Ilyssa Adler, SVP of Business and Legal Affairs – Strengthening AGBO’s expansion into gaming and new media, Adler previously served as VP of Business and Legal Affairs for Ubisoft Film & Television, where she specialized in the intersection of video games with film and television. In this role, she structured and negotiated the video game publisher’s entertainment media projects, including Werewolves Within and Apple TV+’s Mythic Quest. Before joining Ubisoft, Adler represented on-camera talent, writers, and producers at a boutique entertainment firm. Adler began her career as a litigator, advocating for artists in copyright infringement, net profits disputes, and defamation cases.

• Porscha Lee, Manager of Business and Legal Affairs – Promoted after her six years with AGBO, Lee oversees contractual agreements, intellectual property, and compliance matters at the studio.
  

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