Music

The music practice was the firm’s original specialty and is the most prestigious in the world.  We represent the biggest and most influential artists, all of the major record companies, independent record labels, music publishers and numerous key executives and entrepreneurs.  Our lawyers handle virtually every type of agreement and deal in the industry, including recording agreements, producer agreements, management agreements, music publishing agreements, record distribution agreements, digital exploitation agreements, licensing agreements, label agreements, profit-sharing and joint venture agreements, live performance agreements, soundtrack agreements, tour sponsorship and endorsement agreements and acquisition agreements for music publishing catalogs, recorded music assets and companies.

The music business today involves multi-platform exploitation and diversification into other areas of entertainment and media.  We are uniquely positioned to provide broad-based representation in this regard, as our clients are able to draw upon the expertise of the firm’s other practice groups to service all their needs. Back to Top

Film and Television

The film and television practice covers all aspects of the film and television industries as well as related areas, including digital programming and print media.  We represent A-list and emerging talent – including actors, writers, directors, producers, newscasters, models, content creators and other personalities – as well production companies (scripted and unscripted), distribution companies, internet companies, magazine publishers and media conglomerates.   Our lawyers’ skills and expertise, insider experience and extensive industry relationships with top agents, managers and executives enable us to deliver superior results. Back to Top

Licensing, Branding and Endorsements

The licensing, branding and endorsement practice regularly structures and negotiates some of the largest and most high profile licensing, branding and endorsement transactions across a variety of industries and categories, including apparel, footwear, accessories, fragrance, beauty, home products, electronics, automotive, food, beverage (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and health/fitness.  Our clients include both established and emerging companies and talent, including designers, brands, actors, musicians, athletes, celebrities and licensing companies.  The firm’s extensive experience and knowledge of customary practices and market trends enables us to provide practical business guidance to our clients together with pragmatic, results-oriented, legal advice. Back to Top

Corporate

The firm has a dedicated corporate practice comprised of highly experienced lawyers who bring unique perspectives and approaches to corporate transactions.  We combine general corporate expertise with a true understanding of the entertainment and media space, including a genuine appreciation and understanding of the real value (both tangible and intangible) of our clients and their assets.  Our corporate lawyers handle many high-profile matters across the firm’s practice areas – including joint venture and strategic partnership transactions, mergers and acquisitions, equity and other securities grants, debt and equity financings, and general commercial agreements – and are involved in all aspects of the transactions in which we participate, providing, legal, business and strategic advice. Back to Top

Digital Media

The firm has a wide-ranging practice in the digital media industry covering everything from advising “traditional” entertainment companies in connection with their “new media” strategies, to representing some of the most high-profile and successful new/social media companies to advising start-ups in connection with their music, publishing, television, sports and other entertainment-related business opportunities.  We also represent some of the most successful entrepreneurs and executives involved in running and financing digital media companies. Back to Top

Executive Compensation

The firm represents numerous companies and high profile executives in the media and entertainment world, including several CEOs of public companies, with respect to employment arrangements.  Our long standing experience in media and entertainment gives us particular insight into current benefits employers may provide - including compensation, long term incentive programs, equity, phantom equity and profits interests grants, severance, insurance benefits, and more.  We take an analytic approach, using compensation surveys and analysis in order to design compensation packages for our clients.  We also assist companies and employees in negotiating appropriate exit compensation and in all other employment related matters. Back to Top

Fashion

The firm advises well known and emerging designers, celebrities, fashion labels and other companies in all areas of the fashion industry – from mass to high-end – in connection with licensing agreements, joint ventures and financing and other corporate transactions.   Our multi-faceted practice also allows us to represent our fashion clients as their businesses and brands grow and expand into other media and entertainment arenas. Back to Top

Sports and Modeling

The firm represents several high profile athletes and models, including top players from the NBA, NFL and NHL, boxers and supermodels.  Due to our broad-based practice, we are able to represent athletes and models in all aspects of their careers and investments, including with respect to licensing, endorsements, appearances, joint ventures and film and television activities. Back to Top

Video Games

The firm’s video game practice emerged initially from its music practice, when major videogame publishers moved into the individual/competitive music video game space.  Today, the firm represents a number of the major companies in the video game industry as well as the talent who are involved in creating, marketing and distributing video games, as well as many key executives and entrepreneurs in the business. Back to Top

Book and Magazine Publishing

The firm represents individuals and companies involved in all aspects of the book and magazine publishing industries, including renowned and first-time authors (fiction and non-fiction), prominent journalists, celebrities and personalities, book, magazine and digital publishers, publishing executives and media and entertainment companies.  Our attorneys are highly regarded for their expertise in negotiating high-level agreements relating to the grant and acquisition of publishing rights, publishing ventures, distribution arrangements, executive employment and the exploitation of film, television and other subsidiary rights in literary properties.  We also negotiate agreements with collaborators, packagers and other contributors to our clients’ literary works. Back to Top

Theater

The theater group represents clients across the spectrum of the live stage industry, including producers, performers, composers, lyricists, bookwriters, underlying rights holders, investors, theatre owners, and not-for-profit theatre companies.  Our lawyers are highly experienced with domestic and international transactions involving artists at all levels of their careers, and the parties who produce and present their work.  We serve as production counsel for shows on Broadway and have played key roles in facilitating the presentation of dramatic plays and musicals at major performing venues around the world.  The firm also has special expertise representing music publishers in the licensing of existing musical compositions for theatrical productions. Back to Top