Ian Puente brings over two decades of legal experience, with a deep focus on entertainment, media, and corporate transactions. He is admitted to practice law in California.
Ian began his legal career at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles, where he worked in capital markets, securities regulation, private equity, and M&A, including film slate financings. He later joined Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP, where he represented studio and network clients in production, distribution, and acquisition deals. His work included serving as outside counsel on Showtime’s Dexter and Sleeper Cell, and advising on film financing transactions for an entertainment bank.
Ian went on to serve in senior legal roles at Sony Pictures Classics, Samuel Goldwyn Films, and EPIX. In these positions, he led negotiations for production, co-financing, acquisition, and licensing agreements, managed litigation and compliance matters, and oversaw legal operations across departments. His work supported the launch of original series and the distribution of critically acclaimed films, while also shaping strategic partnerships and business development initiatives.
Ian holds a J.D. from Columbia University, where he served as Vice President of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Society. He also earned a Master of Studies in Hebrew and Jewish Studies from Oxford University and a B.A. in Media Studies from Brigham Young University.