We have just lost our esteemed friend and partner, Skip (Harry M.) Brittenham on July 17, 2025.

Everyone in our industry knew of Skip’s legal prowess. But some may not have known of his quiet generosity, his ability to find humor and opportunity in the darkest moments, and his unwavering belief that media and the entertainment industry must serve people, not the other way around.  He had an extraordinary gift for seeing opportunity where others saw only obstacles, and for treating everyone (from the firm’s first employees to its biggest clients) with respect and genuine interest.

He had a decades long passion for fly fishing. It was far more than a hobby – it was a window into his soul. He pursued pristine or, at times, turbulent waters across six continents with the same dedication he brought to complex legal/business issues.  Whether casting on remote Wyoming streams or navigating the rivers of Patagonia, he found in fly fishing the perfect blend of patience, precision, and respect for nature that defined his approach to life.  His fishing stories, told with characteristic enthusiasm, revealed to all that he understood the greatest rewards come to those willing to wait, to observe, and then to strike with perfect timing. And Skip, although not a professional, did compete in and win several worldwide fishing competitions.  This deep connection to nature also led him to serve as a longtime board member of Conservation International, bringing the same strategic thinking to protecting our planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems.

And yet more – a formidable tennis player for decades. And an avid UCLA Bruin basketball fan from the Wooden years until now.

It’s not surprising that some of his biggest admirers were clients.  Whether they were just starting in entertainment or were top executives at a major studio, Skip knew how to make them feel bigger than life when serving them. And his expertise extended to lawyers in our firm.  He quietly (but forcefully) mentored virtually every new hire over the years.  He showed them how to influence “the other side”.  That was true whether the lawyer gained stature inside our firm or (as Skip himself had done) went out on his or her own. He took great pride in those who grew in prominence at Ziffren Brittenham. His tenacious, unshaken confidence in the skills of our firm’s lawyers and its clientele speaks volumes to all of us.

We will follow his lead in always prioritizing the quality of the deals we negotiate for our clients, and in feeling a deep sense of satisfaction and joy in their achievements and successes.

But at the core, his family always came first. His fierce loyalty and gentle care for his wife Heather and three daughters Kristina, Shauna, and India, is unsurpassed. He is also survived by his brother Bud, two devoted sons-in-law Jesse Sisgold and Avi Reiter, and four wonderful grandchildren. To say he adored and treasured them all doesn’t do him – or them – justice.

We deeply mourn his passing, and know that we will be even stronger going forward by honoring the enduring power of his legacy.