SW L AW SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL

Cutting-Edge Entertainment Law Programs

The Donald E. Biederman Entertainment and Media Law Institute at Southwestern Law School has been training tomorrow’s entertainment and media lawyers for more than 15 years

SWLAW.EDU/ENTERTAINMENT Professor Jay Gendron with two of his students. ENTERTAINMENT LAW EPICENTER Having just celebrated its 15th anniversary, the Donald E. Biederman Entertainment and Media Law Institute continues to offer students unrivalled learning opportunities

hen Professor Robert Lind joined Southwestern’s full- time faculty in 1981, the law school already boasted an entertainment law curriculum. It was way ahead W of its time considering that most other law schools did not view entertainment law as a scholarly pursuit worthy of support. There were a handful of courses in copyright, intellectual property, entertainment and mass communications law. There were even programs in place to invite industry leaders to speak at the school. However, Professor Lind, one of the country’s leading copyright law experts, and several of his colleagues realized entertainment law could be a signature offering for Southwestern. With its proximity to Hollywood and a dedicated alumni network that included leading practitioners in the field, Southwestern was uniquely positioned to provide students with practical experience in an exciting and growing practice area. They felt that providing a focus on entertainment training and practice would benefit both students and the entertainment industry. Starting in 1983, Professor Lind, along with Professor Steven Rood and Adjunct Professor Don Biederman, began to explore ways to expand the law school’s entertainment law curriculum, including new cutting-edge courses taught by leading industry experts, a variety of externships, an international study component, and a specialized Master of Laws degree program. Together with Don Biederman, Robert Lind (L) and Michael Epstein (above) played an integral role in structuring the Biederman Institute.

“We wanted to recruit top adjuncts,” Warner/Chappell Music, he became Tamara Moore, Associate Professor Lind recalls. “We saw that the Institute’s founding director Director of the Institute, who has it would be more advantageous in the in 2000. Originally named The worked with all the directors over long run for Southwestern to train National Entertainment and Media the years, says that both Professor students who become entertainment Law Institute, it was renamed the Biederman’s and Professor Kohler’s attorneys than to merely offer several Donald E. Biederman Entertainment passion for the Institute continues entertainment courses and Media Law Institute following to have a tremendous influence on for students who just fancy the Professor Biederman’s death in 2002. the programs and people associated notion of becoming entertainment From 2003 to 2008, the Institute with it. “Don and Dave shared attorneys.” was overseen by Professor David C. an unwavering passion to teach In the 1990s, the number Kohler, who joined Southwestern and mentor students who aspired of entertainment courses were after a distinguished career as to careers in entertainment and increased. Professor Michael Epstein, general counsel for such industry media law. Their objective was to a media law expert, was hired to giants as TBS and CNN. Building create a cutting-edge curriculum bolster course offerings in that field. on the foundation established by along with a robust externship Professor Silvia Faerman, an expert his predecessor, Professor Kohler placement program that would in international intellectual property established partnerships with major provide students with the education issues, joined Southwestern to add organizations such as the Media and practical skills required for an international component to the Law Resource Center, increased the demands of these industries. program. Professor Marin Scordato externship opportunities, instituted Their legacy continues to permeate proposed the establishment of an the Journal of International Media the Biederman Institute today and Institute to serve as an umbrella over and Entertainment Law (JIMEL) and their commitment to excellence all of the law school’s entertainment organized annual conferences on the and innovation resonates with our law programming. When Professor latest developments in entertainment current faculty, staff, students and Biederman, a longtime friend of and media law. He also recruited alumni, both domestically and the law school, retired after nearly additional leading entertainment internationally.” She also points out, two decades as Executive Vice law experts to serve as advisors, “The success of the Institute meant President and General Counsel of adjuncts, and guest lecturers. so much to Don and Dave that their

4 There are many special things about Southwestern Law School, but its prominence in entertainment and media law is one of its most impressive “achievements.” —DEAN SUSAN WESTERBERG PRAGER families have remained actively are accomplished entertainment students with the opportunity to involved and have also established lawyers and have deep roots in develop their skills in a law firm memorial funds dedicated to their the industry—some 40 adjuncts, setting. Students can also take legacies that support Institute- and nearly 50 course offerings on advantage of entertainment law- related scholarships and activities.” everything from music publishing centered summer programs in Los and motion picture production Angeles and London. Additionally, Rigorous Academics and law to technology agreements and the Institute launched the first Real-World Experience video game law. A comprehensive LL.M. in Entertainment and Media Today, the Institute operates externship program allows students Law program in the country, and as the official hub for all things to earn credit while working for most recently, a brand new two-year related to Southwestern’s robust companies such as Lionsgate J.D. focused on entertainment and entertainment and media law Entertainment, MGM, BET Networks, media Law. program: It counts seven full- Funny or Die, and many others. Such offerings have time professors—all of whom Entertainment practicums provide turned Southwestern into the entertainment law powerhouse Professor Lind imagined all those years ago. It has been recognized as among the top 12 law schools in the country for entertainment law by The Hollywood Reporter for all four years that the publication has run the list, and No. 1 in Top Law Schools for Entertainment Law by lawstreetmedia.com. “There are many special things about Southwestern Law School, but its prominence in entertainment and media law is certainly one of its most impressive achievements,” says Dean Susan Westerberg Prager. “The Biederman Institute, the nation’s largest entertainment Matthew law curriculum, and the many Alsberg ‘15, a lawyer in business devel- prominent alumni are all evidence opment with Sony of Southwestern’s standing in these PlayStation, says his vibrant fields.” time at Southwest- That was certainly important ern prepared him for for Matthew Alsberg ’15, currently real-world practice. a lawyer in business development with Sony PlayStation. After a brief

SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL 5 Donald E. Biederman left a lasting legacy that continues to impact Southwestern.

REMEMBERING career as a hip-hop artist, Alsberg DONALD E. BIEDERMAN enrolled in Southwestern’s four- year evening program and found his The legal innovator and educational leader infused calling. He took advantage of as many Southwestern with his passion for entertainment law opportunities as he could, including a course on Emerging Issues in the Entertainment Industry with Adjunct A highly admired teacher, scholar and pioneer of entertainment and media Professor Wayne Levin ’88, general law, Donald E. Biederman (1934–2002) began his long and storied affiliation counsel and chief strategic officer of with Southwestern in 1983 as an adjunct professor. Drawing from his wealth Lionsgate. “Professor Levin told us to of experience in the field—including nearly two decades in leadership roles get out of the old mold of thinking,” at Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., one of the world’s largest music publishing Alsberg says, “and that these days, companies—he taught innovative courses to hundreds of students. Upon his we have to understand many appointment as director of Southwestern’s Entertainment and Media Law disciplines—business, technology, Institute in 2000, he recruited leading entertainment law experts from around science.” the world to serve as adjunct professors and guest lecturers. He was devoted to He also participated in two the Institute, which was named in his honor, and to the countless students he invaluable externships: one with inspired. Berman/Braun (now Whalerock), a Professor Biederman was the author or editor of some of the most production company in Santa Monica; comprehensive and widely used publications on entertainment and media law, and the other with Sony PlayStation, including International Entertainment Law (with Lon Sobel, Praeger Publishers, which led to his current position. 2003) and Law & Business of the Entertainment Industries: Fourth Edition Alsberg, the first evening student to (with Martin Silfen, et.al., Praeger Publishers, 2001). He gave generously of be named a prestigious Biederman his time to the legal profession and the community, and in 2000 was named Scholar—an honor granted to Entertainment Lawyer of the Year by the Beverly Hills Bar Association. promising entertainment law students “Dad taught at a lot of law schools, but he had a special affinity for each year—says the Southwestern Southwestern,” says Professor Biederman’s son, Jeff Biederman, a leading experience prepared him well for real- entertainment lawyer with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, and a member of the world practice. “I really appreciated Biederman Institute’s adjunct faculty and executive board. “The law school the rigor and the solid academic appealed to him because he saw that students really wanted to learn there. He foundation it provided,” he says. “And just loved the spirit of the place.” the networking opportunities were also phenomenal.”

6 Southwestern Firsts • 1st law school to establish an Entertainment and Media Law Institute • 1st law school to offer summer programs on entertainment law in both LA and London • 1st law school to launch a major entertainment law clinic, the Entertainment and the Arts Legal Clinic, which provides legal assistance to independent filmmakers and other creative artists • 1st law school to offer an Entertainment and Media Law LL.M. program • 1st law school to offer a two-year J.D. focused on entertain- ment and media law • 1st law school to offer an award-winning entertainment and media law blog

Diverse Learning Opportunities as a result. Professor Jay Gendron, a former Warner Bros. executive who According to Professor Lind, who co-teaches the clinic with Professor directed the Biederman Institute Penelope Glass, says the experience in 2010 and and is currently its is a win-win for both the students Co-Director with Neil Ollivierra, and the filmmakers. approximately a quarter of incoming “Most of our students think students at Southwestern say they this is the coolest class, because intend to pursue entertainment it’s real,” Professor Gendron says. Most of our students law. So the law school has gone the “They perform nitty-gritty work on extra mile to give students not just a think the Legal Arts difficult issues and gain invaluable comprehensive curriculum and a vast experience. And our clients are array of externship opportunities, but Clinic is the coolest thrilled to have this resource that also a wide choice of entertainment- can save them thousands of dollars class, because it’s related programs, events and on legal affairs by having the class activities on campus. take care of them.” “real. They perform One such offering is the As a student in the clinic, Angelica Entertainment and the Arts Legal Merida ’13 primarily handled music nitty-gritty work on Clinic, in which students provide issues, drafting complex composer legal services to independent and score agreements, as well as difficult issues and filmmakers and other creative master use and synch licenses, artists under faculty supervision. gain invaluable among other projects. “I learned Students offer filmmakers working about client relations, teamwork, and on a “micro-budget” hands-on experience.” trust building, and gained a lot of legal advice about everything from drafting knowledge,” Merida says. “The —PROFESSOR JAY GENDRON securing permits to negotiating [clinic] gave me the forum in which to music clearance rights—and often exercise my skills without fear because get to see their names in the credits

SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL 7 I had my team and my professors’ Communications Law and the Biederman Blog as one of the top support.” Merida is now an associate Entertainment and Sports Industries, legal blogs in the country. in business and legal affairs at BMG, provides a thoughtful forum for representing artists and rights owners exploring the complex legal issues The LL.M. Advantage in the music industry. affecting today’s rapidly changing Nick Francescon, J.D. ’08, LL.M. ’11, Another ongoing program at media landscape. says Southwestern’s LL.M. (Masters Southwestern is the “Conversation Students can also enroll in a of Law) degree in Entertainment and With…” series, in which faculty unique course on Entertainment Media Law “was the perfect choice members sit down with prominent Law and Web 2.0, which produces for me. It was just what I needed to industry experts for lively dialogues. the award-winning Biederman Blog. manage my career transition.” An The featured guests have included Participants in the two-unit course, attorney with Covington & Burling such well-known leaders as mega overseen by Adjunct Professor Craig in Beijing, he works on high-profile sports agent Arn Tellem; legendary Matsuda and Professor Michael international transactions, primarily first amendment attorney Martin Scott, research, write, edit, and between Chinese entities and U.S. Garbus; ASCAP President, songwriter post articles for the blog on daily movie studios interested in accessing and performer Paul Williams; and developments in entertainment the Chinese market. Gordon H. Smith ’79, president and law, usually with an eye toward While earning his J.D. at CEO of the National Association emerging issues in copyright cases. Southwestern, “Entertainment of Broadcasters and a former U.S. The ABA Journal has recognized the law wasn’t on my radar at all,” senator from Oregon. Students looking to expand their exposure to a global perspective on entertainment Nick Francescon, J.D. ‘08, LL.M ‘11, an attorney with Covington & Burling in law can enroll in the London Beijing, credits the Biderman Institute with giving him the skills and knowledge Summer Program in International he needed to advance in his career in international entertainment law. Entertainment & Media Law, created by Professor Lon Sobel. The immersive, five-week experience is headquartered at the prestigious University of London and is the only summer- abroad program of its kind. The law school’s domestic Summer Entertainment Law Program in Los Angeles features a variety of courses taught by top practitioners, customizable externships, and meetings with leading alumni working in the field. On campus, Southwestern students can sharpen their legal research, writing, and editing skills through the The Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law, edited by students working with faculty supervisors under the guidance of Professor Michael Epstein. The journal, published in association with the ABA’s Forums on

8 Nathaniel Hargress, LL.M ’09, is now at Viacom Media Networks, and says Southwestern’s diverse coursework prepared him for many facets of entertainment law.

Francescon says. “I was more study or over two to four years Early ’93, partner in Los Angeles– interested in business litigation. of part-time study. Students gain based Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & But I gradually realized I was better essential skills in this constantly McRae, is passionately committed suited to the transactional side changing area of practice, so they to spreading the word about his of law, and entertainment issues can continue to effectively and alma mater, and SWEIP, he says, is a in particular.” So he decided to responsibly represent their clients. great way to do so. In return for the complement his J.D. with the LL.M. The program is unparalleled in education and career Southwestern offered by Southwestern’s Biederman its breadth and depth, and the enabled him to pursue, Early has Institute, which he says, “gave me faculty are always expanding the played a leading role in creating a broad knowledge and hands-on skills curriculum. cohesive community of current and that would have taken a much longer aspiring entertainment lawyers. time to acquire if I were not in an The Alumni Network “I enjoy doing it for a school I very academic setting,” and affording him In 2011, the Biederman Institute much believe in,” he says. an edge in a highly competitive launched Southwestern’s Like Early, Deborah Drooz ’85 is job market. Entertainment and Intellectual deeply connected to her alma mater Nathaniel Hargress LL.M. ’09, Property Law Alumni Association and shows her support by serving Senior Counsel for Business and (SWEIP) to bring together alumni as an adjunct professor and mentor Legal Affairs at Viacom Media who work in entertainment or IP to students and alumni. Currently Networks, concurs with Francescon, transaction law or litigation; those Of Counsel in the firm of Pisanelli “Southwestern prepared me who work for an entertainment Bice, and one of the top plaintiffs’ for career success by offering a company or entertainer; and those defamation attorneys in the country, multitude of courses focusing on who work on the creative side of the Drooz was named Outstanding entertainment law,” he says. entertainment industry. Its mission Adjunct Professor in Entertainment “Because of my diverse is to cultivate relationships within and Media Law during the coursework in this area, I have felt the business, raise Southwestern’s Biederman Institute’s Awards event comfortable dealing with issues profile as a leading school for in 2012. “I was so pleased and proud in music, television, film and new entertainment law, and organize to have been asked by the late Don media.” Hargress was recently relevant and compelling activities for Biederman to come back to the law recognized with the “2016 Rising alumni and students. school to teach,” says Professor Star” award from the Association of SWEIP has become one Drooz, who, like many alumni in Media and Entertainment Counsel. of the Biederman Institute’s entertainment law, credits Professor The LL.M. program can be most important and influential Lind with sparking her interest in completed in one year of full-time champions. Founding president Eric her chosen field.

SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL 9 Yet another alumna dedicated to giving back is Cindy Johnson J.D. ’00, LL.M. ’07. As president of the Southwestern Alumni Association, Johnson is committed to expanding the law school’s outreach to prospective students, creating career opportunities for recent graduates, and raising money for scholarships. An entertainment lawyer in private practice, Johnson says she was attracted to Southwestern because it offered more entertainment law courses than any other law school she knew of. “[Southwestern] opened up a whole new world for me— Professor Neil Ollivierra ’07 is the new Co-Director of the especially my classes with Robert Biederman Institute. Lind, who is the guru of copyright law,” she says. “I also had the honor of studying with the great Don Biederman. So I really wanted to pay it forward and make a difference in examples of how Southwestern’s a graduate of the Entertainment and others’ lives.” entertainment law program has Media Law Program, has experience Johnson and her husband, had a transformative impact on in software development and is in the Neville Johnson ’75, one of the top generations of students. midst of building a robust database entertainment litigators in the Hoping to have an impact on that will serve students and alumni country, participate in Institute future generations of students from their first days at Southwestern events and mentoring programs is Professor Neil Ollivierra ’07, through their entertainment law or throughout the year and have made recently named as Co-Director of the media law careers. Of this database, a leadership gift to support students Biederman Institute. In announcing Professor Lind says, “The ability to at the law school. They serve as his appointment, Dean Prager track the progress made by students said, “As a senior will help us place them in rewarding entertainment positions. The tracking of our alums lawyer and and the positions they have held, Southwestern opened up executive, as well as the expertise they have experienced legal developed, will allow us to assist a whole new world for me. educator and former and facilitate the needs of those who musician and artist, are interested in broadening their So I really wanted to pay Professor Ollivierra employment portfolio.” it forward and make a brings invaluable Prior to his appointment at expertise and Southwestern, Professor Ollivierra “difference in insight into the law served as inhouse counsel to various and business of the motion picture and television studios others’ lives.” entertainment and at the highest level of business and media industries legal affairs. He spent the bulk of his —CINDY JOHNSON, J.D. ’00, LL.M. ’07, from both a practical career at Lionsgate Entertainment as & PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHWESTERN ALUMNI and academic Vice President of Business and Legal ASSOCIATION perspective.” Affairs for the studio’s theatrical Professor production division. Ollivierra, himself Of his new position as professor

10 Entertainment Law at Southwestern: By the Numbers

15 Number of years since the Biederman Entertainment and Media Law Institute was formally established 50+ Number of alumni who serve as general counsel or executive vice presidents in the entertainment industry. and co-director he says, “The study Top 12 Listed in The Hollywood Reporter’s annual of entertainment law in the present roster of America’s Top Entertainment Law day and age is an exciting adventure Schools for four years running. into new artistic discoveries and the fast-evolving means and methods Top 40 Second-most represented law school in of their corresponding exhibition, Los Angeles Business Journal’s Los Angeles’ distribution and consumption, Top 40 Intellectual Property Lawyers. whether for purposes of commercial monetization, or purely for political, Top 100 The Biederman Blog, the first compre- cultural and scientific advancement. hensive student-produced entertainment By logical extension, the study of law blog, has been included in the ABA entertainment law necessarily Journal’s Blawg 100, three years in a row. includes the study of creativity, technology, business, politics, logic, 10 Years Southwestern has produced mathematics, and a host of other the Journal of International Media & related disciplines. Entertainment Law, in association with the “The faculty and staff at Forums on Communications Law and the Southwestern Law School—including Entertainment and Sports Industries of the the school’s adjunct professors who ABA. concurrently operate as executives and legal counsel for the most Number of years that Professor Robert celebrated studios, record labels, 35 Lind has taught entertainment law and publishers, galleries, museums, law other courses at Southwestern firms and talent agencies in the world—have long sought to cultivate Number of students that Professor Lind among Southwestern’s students an 4,000 has taught in those 35 years, more than appreciation of the bigger picture, as one-quarter of the law school’s graduates. well as the minutiae. I feel privileged and honored to join the faculty at Southwestern in the preservation and expansion of the school’s esteemed heritage and tradition.”

SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL 11