Samuel D. “Sam” Lipshie

Who We Represent

Whether you are an established professional or a beginner launching your business or career in entertainment, we can provide the tools you need to succeed. We represent individuals and businesses in the film, television, theatre, live entertainment, music, social media and publishing industries. Some examples of the people we represent in those industries include producers, directors, actors, dancers, models, singers, musicians, managers, choreographers, composers, writers, photographers, influencers and many other creative individuals and artists.

What We Do

Your needs will largely depend on which sector of entertainment you or your business operate in. The categories below describe the types of legal services that may be relevant to each particular aspect of the entertainment industry. Your entertainment ventures may fall under multiple sectors.

We offer consultations to review and provide advice on a particular agreement. If you are looking for a more substantial relationship with an entertainment attorney, we provide assistance with every step of the way as you negotiate, draft and revise agreements, expand your business or career into multiple facets of the entertainment field or see a production through from its inception to distribution.

Film & Television Law

We represent both individuals and companies in the film and television industry and have served as production counsel for Academy Award-winning films and award-winning TV shows. Whether you would like a consultation to review an agreement or would like more in-depth assistance with negotiating the deal-making process, we can assist in every step of the way. Our film and television services encompass a wide variety of assistance including, but not limited to, producer agreements, news producer agreements, literary option and purchase agreements, life rights agreements, SAG-AFTRA agreements, crowd releases, reality television talent agreements and more.

Moreover, it is important to protect your film or television production’s intellectual property by utilizing copyright and trademark registration and licensing. However, sometimes the process involves multiple steps and can be complicated, so it is important to follow the lead of an experienced attorney to ensure your production is protected. The United States Copyright Office’s (“USCO”) registration requirements and processes differ depending on the type of work being registered. For instance, registration for a motion picture or audiovisual work is separate from registration of other digital content, music, plays, and visual arts. It is important to register correctly in order to obtain all the benefits of registration, such as a presumption of validity, notice of publication, and ability to collect significant statutory damages from anyone who infringes on your copyright.

Music Law

We are ready to assist you as an individual songwriter, musician, singer, composer, manager or as a record company, distribution company or other business in the music industry. For instance, if you are starting a band and know you need help with your intellectual property but are not sure what that entails, we can assist. We can help you register your songs with the USCO. If you have a band name or logo or plan to create one, we can help you register those with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). If you believe your copyright or trademark has been infringed or your copyright or trademark license violated, we can also assist with cease and desist letters, demand letters and litigation.

Another example of how our entertainment attorneys can help you is through drafting and negotiating contracts and offering guidance. Examples of agreements we have helped our previous client with include publishing agreements, management agreements, producer agreements, 360 deals, collaboration contracts, distribution agreements, touring agreements, composer and music supervisor agreements, side artist or featured artist agreements, administration agreements, sync licenses and any other copyright licenses. For instance, if you are a new artist and are not sure if negotiating a 360 deal with a record label or hiring a manager is best for your career, our experienced attorneys can assist you with those decisions.

Entertainment Law Services

Nothing is more important than our relationships with our clients. We combine unsurpassed integrity with a flexible and professional approach to advance our clients’ interests. We have built a reputation for taking a collaborative approach to solving our clients’ legal challenges, and we maintain a deep level of commitment to the highest quality client service.

Attentive
First, we listen. Then, we do.

Positive
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

Proactive
We take a proactive approach to relationships and aspire to add value to our service by staying at the forefront of the latest industry trends and alerting clients to potential opportunities or looming threats to their operations.

Client Focused
Our attorneys work as partners with our clients to provide practical and innovative counsel that is specifically tailored to meet the needs of each client and matter. We gain a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and make their priorities our own.

Responsive
We prioritize open, honest, and responsive communication. Our lawyers are always available to answer client questions and respond to fast-moving circumstances in a landscape where rapid action can often make or break a case or transaction.

Value Driven
Our clients receive the full benefit of our attorneys’ exceptional legal talents and unparalleled experience, but we understand that value is important as well. That is why our attorneys develop creative solutions that achieve our clients’ goals as efficiently as possible, without compromising our ethics or our work product.

Get It Done
We have got this.

Our Core Values

Accolades