Greg Hessinger, a long-time entertainment attorney with Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP has been named as the new president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

He replaces Carol Lombardini, who announced her retirement last year and will transition into an advisory role.

As president, Hessinger will be the lead negotiator between the Alliance, which represents the major Hollywood studios and streaming companies, as well as dozens of independent companies, and the entertainment industry unions. He assumes the position on April 14.

MSK in Century City has served as legal counsel for the Alliance since its start in 1983. Hessinger is the second MSK partner to serve as its president; former MSK partner Nick Counter was president from the organization’s inception until his retirement in April 2009.

Both sides of the table

A spokesperson for the Alliance board of directors said that Hessinger has been on both sides of the negotiating table, “knows entertainment inside and out” and is the right leader for the industry at this moment.

“He understands the priorities and values of those who make production possible and has an extensive track record of bringing parties together to find common ground,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We conducted an exhaustive search process and have the utmost confidence that his experience and deep relationships
will be invaluable to the work of leading the Alliance.”

Hessinger said that he was honored to step into the president role during such a pivotal time for the industry.

“I’ve spent my entire career working to create and sustain opportunity in entertainment and media and I look forward to partnering with our member companies and union leaders to ensure the hard-working individuals who drive our industry forward can continue to create inspiring content for audiences around the world,” he said in a statement.

Hessinger planted his roots in the entertainment industry when he worked as the director of labor relations at CBS in the mid-1990s. He then moved on to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists where for five years he was the national executive director. He then served as chief executive and national executive director of the Screen Actors Guild for six months before he went into private practice for law firms in Philadelphia and New York City. He was most recently the chair of MSK.

“Serving as chair of MSK and a partner here for nearly a decade has been a privilege,” Hessinger said in a statement. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together – growing the firm, strengthening our client relationships, and building on our reputation as a leading firm for the entertainment industry.”

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement to Deadline on March 25 that Hessinger has extensive knowledge of the industry and is an experienced negotiator.

“We look forward to productive bargaining with him as we continue to represent and advance the interests of all performers,” he added.