Paramount Skydance Appoints Makan Delrahim as Chief Legal Officer

Paramount Skydance has recently made it public that Makan Delrahim, a previous advisor to Skydance on their acquisition of Paramount Global, will serve in the capacity of chief legal officer. Delrahim, prior to this appointment, was functioning as an assistant attorney general who supervised the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice during the initial part of President Trump’s administration. The onset of his tenure in this new capacity will be Oct. 6, 2025, where he will be entrusted with comprehensive oversight of legal, regulatory, compliance, and public policy matters pertaining to the firm, inclusive of managing Paramount’s ties with the government.

Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon, holding the offices of the company’s general counsel and interim chief legal officer, will remain in her position as general counsel, now reporting to Delrahim. Delrahim, moving over to Paramount from Latham & Watkins, a prestigious law firm, carries with him extensive experience in advising high-profile clients on diverse matters. His areas of expertise include facets such as groundbreaking transactions, compliance with governmental and regulatory standards, and intricate litigations.

At Latham & Watkins, Delrahim played an instrumental role in providing legal guidance to Skydance Media throughout their M&A process. This strategic counsel was pivotal to Paramount Global being procured successfully by Skydance Media in an $8 billion transaction that concluded on Aug. 7. David Ellison, the board chairman and chief executive officer at Paramount Skydance, has publicly expressed his excitement over Delrahim joining their leadership team.

Ellison’s welcoming statement emphasizes on Makan’s long-term engagement with the Skydance team and how it equips him uniquely to understand and navigate the organization. This marked understanding, along with a concrete foundation of teamwork, is projected to empower effective co-operation and mutual growth. Ellison’s statement also acknowledges Makan’s strategic acumen and successful history in dealing with complex scenarios across various sectors. Such qualifications are deemed invaluable for Paramount’s future vision and growth, offering sustainable value to stakeholders, partners, and the audience.

Delrahim, reciprocating Ellison’s gratitude, went on record stating his sense of honor in joining Paramount in times that stand significant in shaping the trajectory of the media industry. He foresees a confluence of business, innovation, and culture creating unprecedented challenges and exceptional opportunities alike. Drawing on his career-long experience working at the nexus of policy, law, and technological innovation, he looks forward to bringing his expertise to Paramount’s globally renowned leadership team.

Delrahim is enthusiastic about underpinning the company as it forges ahead in leading, adapting, and eventually molding the future of the entertainment industry. Paramount Skydance has acknowledged Delrahim as an established authority in areas of antitrust and intellectual property law. His expertise is testified by his lectures delivered at esteemed institutions and universities across the globe.

As a part of Latham & Watkins’ team, Delrahim’s clientele included Apollo, Hellman & Friedman, KKR, and Silver Lake, along with established names such as Caesars Entertainment, Cox Media Group, Eldridge Industries, Endeavor/WME, FanDuel, LIV Golf, Oak View Group, Omnicom, Searchlight Capital, UFC, and the World Poker Tour. Prior to association with Latham & Watkins, Delrahim served as the 35th assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division from the period of 2017-21.

Before his tenure as assistant attorney general, Delrahim had held multiple high-ranking positions at the Department of Justice, White House, Capitol Hill, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative. His roles were diverse, from deputy assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, commissioner on the Antitrust Modernization Commission, to chief counsel and chief of staff of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Born in Tehran, Iran, Delrahim carries impressive academic credentials. He holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University Law School. Additionally, he also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Further enriching his skill set, Delrahim has successfully completed certificate programs in machine learning and blockchain technology. These programs were carried out under the purview of MIT’s renowned Sloan Graduate School of Management. He also completed a certificate program in production from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television.

The choice of Makan Delrahim for the position of chief legal officer is a strategic move taken by Paramount Skydance. Being a recognized authority in the field of law, specifically antitrust and intellectual property, Delrahim brings unique insights and in-depth understanding to the table. His history of successful collaboration with Skydance and advising them in high-stakes acquisitions vouches for his capability.

Equipped with his diverse expertise, Delrahim is poised to help Paramount navigate through the modern challenges of law, regulation, policy, and innovation in the media industry. Alongside, he is ready to contribute to the company’s ongoing evolution towards the sustained development and blooming of the world of entertainment.

As Paramount strives to write its future in this dynamic and exciting era for the media industry, the addition of Makan Delrahim will undoubtedly help in navigating the increasingly complex terrain of business, technology, and culture. With his breadth of experience and strategic vision, Paramount Skydance is prepared to shape the future of entertainment.