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Morton’s Puts Accent on Youth in Choosing Top Chef

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What did the Hollywood elite talk about last night at Morton’s? Maybe it was the new chef.

Founder Peter Morton on Monday named San Francisco chef Brian Keller, 26, to be executive chef at the legendary Monday night hangout of some of the most powerful people in entertainment. Keller, who replaces Michael Sahine, will oversee the new menu and kitchen when Morton’s moves across the street in January to the former Trumps location.

In a statement, Morton said that in hiring Keller, he wanted to “bring fresh ideas and a simple, clean approach to dining” and “to bring a youthful attitude to the menu at the new Morton’s.”

Record producer Nick Martinelli is forming Watchout Records, a label that will be distributed by Mercury Records. Martinelli will operate the label under MNM Music Group with partner Herb Moelis.

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The game of musical chairs in Hollywood’s legal community continues. Five lawyers at the entertainment law firm Cooper, Epstein & Hurewitz--including managing partner Ira Epstein--are expected to jump to Weissmann, Wolff, Bergman, Coleman & Silverman as the former firm disbands.

Sources said that in addition to Epstein, lawyers Henry W. Holmes Jr., Alan L. Grodin, Steven M. Katleman and Stewart S. Brookman are planning to join Weissmann Wolff. A group of other partners, including longtime music industry lawyer Jay Cooper, are negotiating to join the Westside firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.

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