Hillary H. Hughes

Overview

Hillary is a corporate, commercial and sports & entertainment attorney advising consumer brands, investors, and athletes, artists, and creators—including celebrities—on complex transactions and the commercial relationships that drive their businesses.

Consumer Brands & Transactions

Hillary represents emerging and established consumer brands and the investors who support them, including angel investors, family offices, venture capital and private equity firms. Her practice spans the full lifecycle of a business, including formation, capital raising, commercial operations, strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and other liquidity events.

She regularly structures and negotiates key commercial agreements, including co-manufacturing, supply, distribution, licensing and other brand-driven arrangements, and advises on product development, private label relationships and scaling operations.

Her work focuses on consumer products companies across food and beverage, supplements, beauty and personal care, fashion and apparel, home goods, toys and games, and related categories. She works with innovative brands and category disruptors, as well as international companies expanding into the United States, helping them launch, scale and protect their businesses.

Talent, Sports & Entertainment

Hillary represents athletes, artists and creators—and the teams, leagues, brands and investors that partner with them—on endorsements, licensing, brand development, business ventures and investments across the sports and entertainment ecosystem. Her practice spans traditional sports and entertainment matters across film, television and music (including songwriting, production, performance and touring), as well as literary, culinary, fitness and related industries.

Brand Partnerships & Collaborations

A significant portion of Hillary’s practice sits at the intersection of consumer brands and talent. She structures and negotiates endorsement deals, brand collaborations, licensing arrangements and co-branded product initiatives, helping clients capitalize on strategic partnerships while managing legal and commercial risk.

Approach

Hillary is known for combining practical business judgment with creative problem-solving, bringing clarity and execution to complex transactions and strategic initiatives.

Thought Leadership

Hillary curates weekly updates on the news and trends influencing how consumer brands grow, market and protect what they’re building. Subscribe to ensure you never miss an update.

Honors & Recognition

• Chambers USA (New York) Leading Individual, Media & Entertainment: Advisory, 2021-present
• Chambers USA (New York) Leading Individual, Media, Entertainment: Film & Television, 2015-2020
• Chambers USA (New York) Up and Coming Lawyer, Media, Entertainment: Film & Television, 2014
• New York Metro Super Lawyers list, 2013-present
  • The New York Times supplement, New York Women’s Edition, 2018-present
• Avenue Magazine, Top Women Lawyer in New York City, 2011; 2012; 2015
• New York magazine, Legal Leaders: New York Area’s Top Rated Lawyers, 2012
• The American Registry, Top Attorney in Entertainment & Sports Law (New York Metro Area), 2013
• The New York Times Magazine, Top Women Attorney (Metro New York), 2014
• Avvo Clients’ Choice Award, Recipient, 2017
• Martindale-Hubbell
  • AV Preeminent Rating, 2010-present
  • Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™

Professional Activities

• Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Member, 2012-present
  • 35th College Television Awards, Judge, February 2014
• American Bar Association, Member, 1997-present
• Civil Court of the City of New York, Small Claims Part, Arbitrator, 2009-present
• Foster Garvey Business practice, Chair, 2021-present
• Foster Garvey Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice, Chair, 2019-present
• Foster Garvey Food & Beverage practice, Chair, 2019-present
• Foster Garvey Sports & Entertainment practice, Chair 2019-present
• Garvey Schubert Barer, Emerging Companies practice, Chair, 2011-2019
• Garvey Schubert Barer, Food & Beverage practice, Chair, 2016-2019
• Garvey Schubert Barer, Arts & Entertainment practice, Chair 2012-2019
• Jewish Lawyers Guild, Member, 1999-present
• New York City Bar Association, Member, 1999-present
• New York County Lawyers Association, Member
  • Chair, Corporation Law Committee, 2000-2007
• New York State Bar Association, Member, 1997-present
• Plant Based Foods Association, Member, 2018-present
• The Recording Academy, Member, 2012-present
• The Women in Toys Foundation, Member, 2024

Community Activities

• Park Slope Schoolhouse Child Care Center, Inc.
  • Chair, Board of Directors, 2012-2021
  • Vice Chair, 2009-2012
• SKIP (Sick Kids Need Involved People) of New York, Inc.
  • Member, Board of Directors, 2011-2016
  • Member, Junior Advisory Board, 2007-2011

News & Insights