Jeffrey Freedman – Creative Artists Agency, LLC (CAA)

When Jeffrey Freedman walked onto the set of a major action movie in the mid-1990s with a contract in hand, he knew he had arrived. One of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars hadn’t yet signed his deal when filming began, and it was Freedman’s job—then a young attorney at Paramount Pictures—to make it “official..”

Jeffrey Freedman | Creative Artists Agency, LLC (CAA) | Chief Legal Officer & Chief Administrative Officer

That was my ‘welcome to Hollywood’ moment,” he says.

But while that episode may seem like the stuff of red carpets and movie magic, Freedman is quick to note that his job has never been about glitz and glamour.

“There’s far more happening behind the scenes,” he says. “The real work is in the details—and the people.”

Today, Freedman serves as chief legal officer and chief administrative officer for Creative Artists Agency, LLC, known worldwide as CAA, a position that encompasses legal leadership, executive oversight, and operational strategy at one of the most influential firms in entertainment. And his rise to the upper echelon of the industry has been marked by tenacity, timing, and an unwavering passion for the business of storytelling.

Building a career in an industry he loves

Freedman’s path into entertainment law began in earnest when he moved from Michigan to Los Angeles in 1990 to attend UCLA School of Law. An avid moviegoer his entire life, he arrived in California not fully understanding that a legal career could be integrated so closely with film and television. But that realization came quickly—and once it did, he never looked back.

“There wasn’t a formal entertainment law program at the time,” he recalls. “So, I pieced it together—took every relevant course, wrote a thesis on profit participation, and joined the UCLA Entertainment Law Symposium advisory board.”

Networking was key, especially for an outsider in an insider-driven town. Freedman mailed nearly 90 letters to studios and networks, ultimately landing internships at New Line Cinema and Pressman Films. After starting his legal career at Skadden Arps in Los Angeles, those connections opened doors at a boutique entertainment firm in Beverly Hills. That later led him to Paramount Pictures, where he spent nearly 14 years helping shepherd award-winning films like No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Babel, and Into the Wild through the complex world of production legal affairs.

During his tenure at Paramount, Freedman transitioned from legal roles into operations, eventually becoming Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Operations at Paramount Vantage, a specialty film division known for critical hits and award-season contenders. It was a highlight of his career—one that allowed him to immerse himself in the creative process while applying his legal expertise in a more hands-on way.

“We were making films that defined an era,” he says. “It was thrilling to be part of that.”

But as industry economics shifted and the 2008 recession loomed, Freedman knew change was coming. Rather than wait for whatever that would be, he stepped away from Paramount and began exploring his next chapter. A meeting with CAA Co-Chairman and CEO Bryan Lourd, whom Freedman knew from negotiating on opposite sides of the table, would prove pivotal.

More than a talent agency

Founded in 1975, CAA has evolved far beyond its original role as a Hollywood talent agency. While it remains a dominant force in representation—its client list includes A-list actors, directors, athletes, and musicians—CAA’s portfolio has diversified significantly. The company now has divisions for sports, digital media, brand licensing, corporate advisory, and even an in-house investment bank. It operates across 30 offices and employs more than 3,900 people.

Freedman joined the company as its second in-house attorney.

“There was no legal department to speak of,” he says. “No job description. It was essentially, ‘Help us grow and figure it out.’”

And that’s exactly what he did. Today, CAA’s legal team comprises approximately 25 individuals, including 15 lawyers and paralegals, making it the largest and most robust the agency has ever had.

But Freedman’s responsibilities go far beyond legal affairs. As Chief Administrative Officer, he oversees real estate, global operations, safety & security, procurement, and facilities, and plays a key role in the agency’s strategic growth. He is currently overseeing three major real estate projects: a new headquarters in Los Angeles, a new office in Nashville, and a consolidated campus in London. Each initiative is designed to create more collaborative, efficient workspaces that reflect the agency’s people-first culture.

“We’re not just building offices,” Freedman explains. “We’re building environments that bring people together. Our business is fundamentally about human connection—the agents, executives, and staff who power the company need spaces that foster that collaboration.”

A culture that keeps people

Despite its scale and reach, CAA remains deeply rooted in a sense of community. When Freedman joined, the company had around 800 employees.

“But it still feels like a small company. I work with many of the same people I started with,” he notes.

That continuity is no accident. CAA’s culture, defined by collaboration, kindness, and an entrepreneurial spirit, is intentionally cultivated.

“We don’t manufacture anything. We don’t sell a product,” Freedman says. “We are a service business—in service to our clients and in service to each other. That requires trust, communication, and shared purpose.”

Freedman takes pride in the fact that many of his colleagues have been with the company for decades.

“We have partners and employees who have been here 30 or 40 years,” he says. “That kind of tenure doesn’t happen by accident. It’s because people genuinely love working here.”

He attributes that retention to the agency’s emphasis on hiring well.

“I’ve made a lot of decisions over the years, but hiring is probably the most important,” he says. “When you bring in good people, they hire good people. And the opposite is also true.”

Leading with versatility & vision

Freedman may have started as a transactional attorney, but his role today is that of a business leader and team builder. He leads with a strong sense of mission and a clear understanding of how legal, operational, and strategic functions intersect.

“I’m definitely management-first now,” he says. “But I still get involved in large transactions, key initiatives, and complex matters where I can offer perspective.”

His management style is rooted in observation, experience, and a willingness to learn. Nobody trained him to be a manager. He learned by watching others, by managing one person, then two, then more. Over time, he developed his own style. That style emphasizes autonomy, accountability, and mutual respect.

“I’m not the kind of leader who always speaks first or takes up all the space in the room,” he explains. “I like to listen, to learn from the people around me.”

It’s a philosophy that has served him well—and one that he continues to pass along to the next generation of entertainment lawyers and executives. He remains active with organizations such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, YPO Wilshire, and the UCLA School of Law’s Ziffren Institute for Media, Tech, Entertainment & Sports Law. Through those platforms, he continues to support mentorship, thought leadership, and the advancement of the profession.

Ultimately, Freedman’s career reflects both passion and pragmatism. He found a way to combine his love of film with his aptitude for business and law.

“Halfway through law school, I realized I wanted to do something in the movie business,” he says. “Paramount gave me that. CAA gave me something even bigger.”

And while his current role may not involve working directly on film sets anymore, the mission remains the same: to support storytellers, empower talent, and help the entertainment industry evolve and thrive.

“I got here many years ago because I love movies,” he says. “And I’ve stayed because I’ve never stopped believing in what we’re building.”