Best Lawyers in America for Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
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Some of the most prominent companies in the entertainment business turn to Joel Weiner to handle disputes across a broad range of subject matter. With nearly 30 years of litigation experience and vast industry knowledge, he has been trusted by companies like NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Endemol Shine Group, Telemundo and Excel Sports Management with high-profile lawsuits involving series, films and other valuable entertainment properties. The entertainment industry is a magnet f...
Andrew J. Velcoff focuses his practice on entertainment, intellectual property and media law. His practice includes a wide range of institutional and individual entertainment and media clients, including broadcast and cable networks, film and television production companies, marketing companies, on screen talent, writers, and other clients involved in the development, production, acquisition, financing, marketing and distribution of content for motion pictures, television, video, the Internet...
John V. Berlinski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television and Litigation - Intellectual Property. John V., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Melissa Georges is a partner in our Entertainment Group and Chair of our Content Review & Clearance Group. For more than 30 years, she has helped award winning documentary, feature film and television producers, directors, actors, writers, animators, and comedians resolve complex legal issues to get their projects cleared and distributed. She is recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the 2025 edition for Entertainment Law. Ms. Georges assesses all forms of entertainment content for lega...
Carolyn has experience with advising investors in virtually all aspects of their film, television, interactive gaming and other finance and distribution matters. She represents domestic and international financial institutions, funds, high net worth individuals and media and entertainment companies in their corporate, intellectual property and entertainment-related transactions. Carolyn routinely counsels clients on the legal and business issues of entertainment financing transactions, includ...
Julia R. Haye’s entertainment practice includes successful resolution, at trial and in arbitration, of complex business disputes involving profit participation, motion picture production and distribution, rights ownership, copyright and trademark infringement, idea submission, and other entertainment-related conflicts and contractual disputes. Her counsel and interests encompass every genre of entertainment and media, including studio and independent motion pictures, television, music, ...
Edward Nahhat has over 30 years of experience as an effective adviser and successful trial and appellate lawyer in probate, criminal law, personal injury, real estate, entertainment law, and other general practice areas. He joined Kemp Klein in 2013 as a member of our award-winning Trusts and Estates litigation practice group. Mr. Nahhat delivers effective service to individuals, their families and to businesses of all sizes from a client-centered philosophy of practice. Mr. Nahhat’s cl...
Stefan Schick has been practicing entertainment law for more than 16 years, with a specialty in live theater. Stefan advises clients on all aspects of creating, developing, financing, producing, co-producing and licensing Broadway, off-Broadway, touring, regional, West End and other overseas live stage productions, from the initial rights deal to opening night and beyond. His clients include film studios, producers, investors, playwrights, bookwriters, composers, lyricists, directors, designe...
Daniel L. Nash is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment and Sports Law. Daniel L., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David C. Eisman represents companies, investment banks and private equity funds in connection with a variety of corporate, securities and M&A transactions, including private and registered securities offerings, public and private acquisitions, strategic investments and joint ventures. He also represents private equity, hedge fund and other private fund sponsors in structuring and forming their funds, registering as investment advisers and dealing with regulatory issues. Transactions in wh...
Entertainment lawyer Steve Weizenecker serves as counsel on tax incentives and financing for film, television and videogame clients. He has also worked with numerous jurisdictions on developing or improving their economic incentives for the entertainment industry. Personable and patient, Steve takes the time to listen to what each client needs, understand their concerns and incorporate their goals into each step he takes. Clients and colleagues alike know that they can rely on Steve to serve ...
A leader in the music industry for over 40 years, Lee Phillips has earned a reputation for intelligence, creativity and integrity in representing major musicians, recording artists, composers, record companies and publishing companies. Lee focuses primarily on contract negotiations within the music industry and acts as the general legal advisor to a multitude of artists and companies in this field. His clients have included and include a variety of internationally renowned performers and cele...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.