Alum of the Month

February 2024 Alum of the Month: Bianca Levin ’95
Hotchkiss Alum of the Month February 2024 Bianca Levin

Bianca Levin ’95 is consistently listed as one of Hollywood’s top-rated entertainment attorneys, representing such A-listers as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ben Stiller, and Regina King. She spends most of her days as a partner at Beverly Hills-based Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, negotiating deals and providing strategic and legal advice. 

She credits Hotchkiss for her strong work ethic and says she felt “equipped and confident” when she left the School. “Hotchkiss exposed me to a high level of academics and broadened my world view. I learned how to be a thinker.”

Levin was an ambitious child who loved to be challenged academically. She was raised by a single mother who worked hard to provide opportunities for her daughter. “Together, we researched boarding schools, as it seemed like a path that would ensure access to the types of colleges I dreamed of attending. I became enamored with Hotchkiss as soon as I read about it,” she said. “When we visited and learned more, we knew right away that it was the right place for me. We knew that Hotchkiss could provide unlimited opportunities.”

The classes were all that she’d hoped for. “I loved all of my Hotchkiss classes, and the small size really suited me as a pretty shy kid. The faculty brought the material to life in a way I had not experienced before. We took nature walks in English while reading Thoreau. Debating was something new to me, and when debating a Shakespeare quote in my prep year English class, it got me thinking about pursuing a career in law. From Tim Katzman’s U.S. History course I developed a love of history, so much so that I went on to major in history at Yale. I also loved Great Books with Fritz Mark P’88,’91,’00, where I was exposed to so many diverse writers, like Toni Morrison and Keri Hulme.”

Outside of classes, Levin cherished time with friends in the dorm—playing cards at night, serving as a proctor, and bonding with everyone over food at feeds. “It was a chance to unwind, relieve some stress, and share a moment together.”

She said she “loved the challenge of excelling and achieving success” at Hotchkiss, which prepared her for Yale. “I often tell people that the hardest I ever worked in school was at Hotchkiss,” she said. Levin completed her undergraduate studies and enrolled at Yale Law School. She earned a juris doctor degree in 2002 and was admitted to the bar in 2003.

Before joining Gang Tyre, Levin practiced corporate law at Sullivan & Cromwell. She was always enamored with television and movies, and early on she considered being an actress. “In fact, I had a small part in a movie during the mid-1980s—to remain unnamed!” she joked. “But as I continued in school, I became more analytical and focused on my studies and less extroverted and artistic. While I was at Hotchkiss, a friend mentioned that she had a family member who was an entertainment lawyer. That was the first time I’d ever heard of this field, and I was intrigued. So, I decided to combine my love for the arts with my analytical brain and pursued law. I looked for an opportunity to join an entertainment firm, and when that arose, I put everything I had into it.”

At Gang Tyre her clients are mostly actors, writers, and directors in television and film. She also represents American politician Stacey Abrams, a voting rights activist and author who served in the Georgia House of Representatives. “I help them navigate and expand their brands to grow businesses outside of entertainment as well. I feel so lucky to represent such talented people—people of whom I am a legitimate fan,” she said.

Levin is proud to represent many women and people of color who have been historically underrepresented in the entertainment world. “I take a lot of pride in doing my part to help amplify their voices, close the pay gap, and unlock their true value. This is the part of my work that is especially rewarding, knowing that I am helping people that I truly respect and admire,” she said.

In another role, Levin is busy keeping up with her 7-year-old daughter, Alexandra. “My husband and I are about to welcome our second child in April! We love to cook for every occasion, entertain friends and family at our home in West Hollywood, and travel.”

She also finds the time to serve on the board of directors and executive committee of Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides essential items to mothers and children in need, including those who are in foster care, homeless shelters, and victims of natural disasters. “It’s a simple concept that fills a massive need, and I am incredibly proud of the work that we do. Every year, Baby2Baby reaches more than one million kids across the country. I feel very lucky to be in a position where I can make a difference through giving my time and financial support to such an incredible organization.”