Entertainment

We are one of the most respected entertainment law firms in the United States with offices in New York and Los Angeles. We provide superior legal services and strategic advice to a broad spectrum of entertainment and media clients.

OUR CLIENTS

We represent clients in the motion picture, television, theatre, news, podcast, radio, fashion and music industries, including actors, writers, directors, producers, radio, television and podcast personalities, playwrights, composers, musicians, comedians, models, and designers. We also represent production, distribution, syndication, broadcast, financing, and media companies — as well as high-level corporate executives at these companies. In addition, we counsel sports organizations and executives, athletes, coaches, sportswriters, and other sports personalities.

CLIENT BENEFITS

Provide Personal Representation

We service the diverse needs of our creative talent, including evaluating, strategizing, and negotiating all forms of talent agreements, and counseling on industry practices. We provide transactional legal support ranging from studio and network deals to independent projects. We work closely with a client’s other professional advisors on all matters.

Structure Finance and Distribution

We structure motion picture and television financing agreements – including development, production, “negative pick-up,” distribution, and acquisition agreements; and we negotiate territorial pre-sale, private equity, secured transactions, and other forms of financing.

Advise on Private Placements

We advise on structure and documentation for private placements to raise financing for individual motion pictures, television projects, live stage productions, and slate financing for film and theatre producers and investors.

Advise on Crowdfunding

We help clients navigate the regulatory environment when they seek crowdfunding for their projects or companies, using a donation or investment model. 

Leverage Tax-Advantaged Finance Incentives

We uncover and develop tax-advantaged media financing opportunities worldwide, and we have drafted implementing rules and regulations for government entities seeking to set up finance incentive programs. We helped draft the legislation offering the first U.S. tax-advantaged financing incentives in the live entertainment media.

Protect Intellectual Property

We develop and protect copyright, trademark, publicity, and other intellectual property rights, and we review screenplays, film, television, and online content for defamation, infringement, and other risks.

Exploit Ancillary Revenue

We identify and exploit ancillary revenue opportunities, such as international television format sales, branded entertainment, sponsorships, commercial tie-ins, media appearances, mobile entertainment, blockchain and Web3 projects, video games, music videos, merchandising, and licensing, and we supervise client licensing programs.

Negotiate Compensation Packages

We use our relationships and knowledge of industry customs to negotiate and structure employment contracts with competitive salary, bonus, and severance provisions.

Act as Production Counsel

We act as production and financing counsel for feature films; television motion pictures and series; news, sports, and other scripted and non-scripted programming; and theatre projects.

Advise on Children’s Entertainment and Merchandising

We have many years of experience handling film, television, video, publishing, animation, theatre, and merchandising projects intended for children and young adults.

Resolve Guild Disputes

We resolve Writers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, and Directors Guild of America disputes, and other labor issues.

Manage Wealth

We assist media, entertainment, and sports figures with all areas of estate planning, and help them analyze and optimize their tax planning.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Our attorneys are members, officers, and directors of key entertainment associations, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the National Television Academy, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., the International Radio and Television Society, The Creative Coalition, New York Women in Film and Television, the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, the Art Directors Club, and other important industry organizations. We regularly attend the NATPE, MIFED and MIPCOM conferences, as well as the film, television, and comedy festivals and markets. We are counsel to the Independent Feature Project, the Tribeca Film Festival, and the International Television Academy. We are members of the New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Art and Sports Law Section’s Executive Committee, and the Sports Lawyers Association, and have served on the Sports Law Committee of the New York City Bar.