The consumption of entertainment content will continue to evolve at a rapid pace and so must our approach to guiding clients. Our job is to help clients navigate this new and evolving environment and diversify the types of content they participate in, produce and endorse. Our entertainment attorneys help clients find the right strategic partners, creatively structure deals, maintain ownership and protect their rights across all entertainment platforms.
We understand the drivers of your business from the talent and corporate side, since many of the attorneys in our Entertainment group have worked in digital media, licensing, fashion, food and music before joining our firm. With this unique past experience serving as in-house counsel and in non-legal roles, we offer clients an unparalleled level of industry insight and knowledge when dealing with entertainment issues and transactions.
We think and act like entrepreneurs and business partners of our clients. Our team helps clients evaluate risks and strategic opportunities. Our clients rely on us to be their trusted advisor to help navigate their legal matters. We love working side by side with all different types of artists and entertainers to help them grow, expand and protect their business.
Rochester Business Journal | March 20, 2020
Rochester Corporate partner Jeremy Wolk contributed this column analyzing a copyright dispute between home exercise giant Peloton and the National Music Publishers Association regarding the use of popular music in Peloton video workouts. This column was adapted from an NP alert by Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Staci Riordan, New York City Complex Commercial Disputes partner Dan Schnapp, and associate Catherine Savio.
Law360 | March 18, 2020
This article mentions Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Staci Riordan and Los Angeles Complex Commercial Disputes associate Ryan Duckett for their representation of Fashion Nova in a breach-of-contract claim against incarcerated rap star Tekashi 6ix9ine.
The Hollywood Reporter | February 04, 2020
This article about leading entertainment and media agency WME signing vlogger Anastasia Radzinskaia notes Los Angeles Corporate partner Ellie Heisler as one of the attorneys representing the six-year-old YouTube star.
LegalTech News | November 21, 2019
Los Angeles Labor and Employment associate Irene Scholl-Tatevosyan talks about the increasing sophistication of esports player contracts, a trend fueled in part by game publishers and investors showing interest in more standardized pacts.
Esports Insider | August 06, 2019
Intellectual Property associates Jason Kunze of Chicago and Jennette Psihoules of Washington DC participated in the latest edition of the regular feature “Ask the Esports Lawyers.” In this edition, Jason and Jennette look at how the European Union copyright directive may impact esports.
The Hollywood Reporter | August 06, 2019
This article quotes Los Angeles Corporate partner Ellie Altshuler on why social media influencers could become the next crop of celebrities to face copyright infringement claims from street artists whose work appears on their social channels.
LegalTech News (Law.com) | August 05, 2019
This article highlights Los Angeles Labor and Employment partner Ben Kim and associate Irene Scholl-Tatevosyan for leading the e-sports practice at Nixon Peabody, one of only a few such practices at large law firms.
Variety | April 08, 2019
Variety magazine named Los Angeles Corporate Partner Ellie Altshuler to its 2019 Legal Impact “Up Next” list. The piece, which recognizes Ellie as one of only a handful of attorneys recognized for “cutting the deals shaping modern Hollywood,” highlights her work with digital influencers.
November 05, 2018
Los Angeles Corporate partner Ellie Altshuler is featured in this Loyola Law School article on the path she took to becoming the go-to lawyer for YouTube content creators and social media influencers seeking to expand their brand.
Los Angeles Daily Journal | June 24, 2018
Los Angeles corporate partner Ellie Altshuler was named as one of the top 40 attorneys in California under the age of 40 by the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Law360 | May 06, 2018
In this roundup of promotions to partner and firm management positions, 14 attorneys from Nixon Peabody are highlighted. The 11 attorneys promoted to partner are Ellie Altshuler, Mark Beaudoin, Erik Birkeneder, Hannah Bornstein, Chris Browning, Barry Carrigan, Keri McWilliams, Matt Mullen, Steven Richard, Charles Tamuleviz and Alison Torbitt. In addition, Kenneth C. Lind was promoted to leader of the firms’ public finance practice group, Justin Thompson was promoted to office managing partner in LA, and Aaron Yowell was promoted to chief innovation officer.
Billboard | April 12, 2018
Los Angeles IP Counseling and Transactions partner Julian Petty is quoted in this article discussing the lack of black executives in an industry that is increasingly driven by urban music and black culture.
The Hollywood Reporter | April 04, 2018
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partner Julian Petty, whose clients include Childish Gambino and the estate of Notorious B.I.G., has been named a Top Music Attorney in the Power Lawyers issue of The Hollywood Reporter.
Bloomberg | March 14, 2018
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partner Ellie Altshuler is quoted in this story about the possibility of widespread adoption for “inclusion riders”— a clause in an entertainer’s contract that mandates a diverse cast and crew for the project.
AmLaw Daily | March 11, 2018
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partners Staci Riordan and Julian Petty successfully defended the estate of rapper Notorious B.I.G. in a copyright suit. Riordan is quoted in this article, saying the ruling “is sure to become an influential decision on music copyright infringement cases.”
Billboard | March 08, 2018
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partners Staci Riordan and Julian Petty are quoted for their representation of the estate of rapper Notorious B.I.G. in the successful defense of a copyright suit filed by a 1960s revolutionary poet.
Law360 | March 08, 2018
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partners Staci Riordan and Julian Petty are mentioned in this article on NP’s win representing the estate of rapper Notorious B.I.G. A judge ruled the rapper’s use of a phrase from a 1960s poem was permissible under copyright law because it was “transformative.”
Pigeons and Planes | February 25, 2018
Los Angeles IP transactions and counseling of counsel Carron Mitchell is quoted in this article on how she views the significance of Black History Month in the music industry, and the need for greater representation in leadership roles.
Billboard Magazine | February 01, 2018
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partner Julian Petty is profiled in Billboard, the top trade publication in the music industry. Petty talks about how a love of hip-hop led him from a small town in New York to Def Jam Records to a career representing artists such as Childish Gambino, A Tribe Called Quest, Vince Staples and the estate of The Notorious B.I.G.
Billboard | January 04, 2018
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partner Julian Petty provides commentary in this roundup article about predictions for the music industry in 2018.
Pigeons & Planes | October 02, 2017
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions of counsel Carron Mitchell is quoted in this roundup article of advice for artists to consider before signing a deal with a music label.
Upscale Magazine | September 30, 2017
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partner Julian Petty was named one of the “Top 25 in 2017” by Upscale Magazine.
Billboard | July 16, 2017
Billboard Magazine has named Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partner Julian Petty as a top music lawyer in 2017.
Billboard | June 21, 2017
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partner Julian Petty is quoted in this article on the changing economics of the music industry and the recent surge in new signings. Click here to read the full article.
The Los Angeles Times | June 18, 2017
Los Angeles IP counseling and transactions partner Julian Petty is quoted in this article about rapper Jay-Z’s newest album that will be released exclusively through the streaming service Tidal, which he co-owns. Click here to read the full article.
