Entertainment andSports
When it comes to legal counsel for the entertainment and sports industry, understanding the landscape is critical. Taylor English’s Entertainment and Sports group brings decades of experience advising artists, actors, authors, athletes and companies on a variety of litigation and transactional matters.
With seasoned attorneys representing clients across the country, we offer a dynamic mix of professionals with extensive behind-the-scenes knowledge. We provide holistic counsel, including supporting clients with legal aspects tied to financial matters, employee relations, intellectual property, marketing, digital distribution, data security, promotions and contests. Removing the guesswork on business and legal matters means clients can focus on what matters most–their artistry and career.
Entertainment
At Taylor English, we take a client-first approach to all entertainment business matters. Our process hinges on proactive advisement that considers risks and benefits to develop a roadmap for success. The career of an actor, screenwriter, producer, director and other TV and film professionals is nuanced and requires a level of understanding that our tenured team can provide. With intimate behind-the-scenes knowledge, we are able to give guidance that recognizes the fluid nature of the industry.
Finance is a driving force for the entertainment industry and can be a challenging topic to navigate. From early stage funding with investors to stock options and compensation incentives for employees, having a pulse on capital is critical. We provide counsel on a variety of financial aspects, including venture capital and private equity/debt transactions, tax credit financing, transferring credits, managing ancillary credit matters, strategic acquisitions and company reorganizations.
Another foundational part of the entertainment business is contracts. We support a range of agreements that cover topics such as co-publishing, joint ventures, distribution, label, life story rights, script purchase, marketing, licensing, merchandising, endorsements and sponsorships. The goal is to be proactive and protect clients across all aspects of business, extending to matters of copyrighting, piracy and trademarks. Should litigation be on the table, we stand prepared to advise clients with long-term outcomes in mind.
One of the unique aspects of TV and film is the ability to showcase the collective talents of many individuals. Managing that artistry requires an intentional balance of employer and employee relations, which is a cornerstone practice for Taylor English. We support clients on a number of employee relations topics, including labor issues, sexual harassment and workplace training, performing rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI, labor issues and union contract grievances, arbitrations and negotiations.
Sports
With decades of experience in the sports industry, the Taylor English team works with an array of athletes, sports teams, leagues, license manufacturers and sports agents in the NCAA, MLB, NBA and NHL. Working with the above entities, the goal is to explore and advise on business opportunities that can yield long-term success.
Our services extend from college athletes to partnerships with marquis players and future hall of fame veteran players. The formula with each client remains the same: pairing a foundation of communication with strategy to help athletes revolutionize their careers. To support unique client needs, we broker deals tied to intellectual property support, brand protection and growth, financial and investment management, estate planning, retirement planning, deferred compensation and licensing.
The intrinsic talent of an athlete is something to be celebrated and protected. With so many factors at play during an athlete’s journey, having the right legal and business representation is critical to a successful career evolution.
Insights
Insight
Taylor English Receives Recognition in U.S. News & Best Lawyers 2023 “Best Law Firms” Rankings
November 3rd, 2022
ATLANTA, November 3, 2022 – Taylor English Duma LLP is pleased to announce the firm’s recognition in the 2023 edition of the U.S. News &…
Read MoreInsight
Taylor English Receives Recognition in U.S. News & Best Lawyers 2022 “Best Law Firms” Rankings
November 5th, 2021
Taylor English Duma LLP is pleased to announce the firm’s recognition in the 2022 edition of the U.S. News & Best Lawyers “Best Law…
Read MoreInsight
Forty-Eight Taylor English Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America
August 20th, 2021
Taylor English Duma is pleased to announce that 48 attorneys were recognized in 39 practice areas in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers…
Read MoreInsight
Lawsuit against Netflix a primer in why you need an IP lawyer
July 7th, 2021
An indie filmmaker sued Netflix a few weeks ago, asserting that the film “Skater Girl” was a knockoff of his file “Sk8er Girl.”…
Read MoreInsight
Taylor English Successfully Defends Hendrix Music Academy in Lawsuit
February 19th, 2021
Non-Profit Can Continue Teaching Underserved Kids While Honoring Jimi Hendrix’s Legacy Taylor English Duma LLP attorneys have…
Read MoreInsight
For the Arts: Shuttered Venues Grants
January 22nd, 2021
As we all can imagine, arts venues have been among the heaviest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Attached is a valuable law alert…
Read MoreInsight
Taylor English Receives Recognition in U.S. News & Best Lawyers 2021 “Best Law Firms” Rankings
November 6th, 2020
Taylor English Duma LLP is pleased to announce the firm’s recognition in the 2021 edition of the U.S. News & Best Lawyers “Best Law…
Read MoreInsight
Forty-Nine Taylor English Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America
August 21st, 2020
Taylor English Duma is pleased to announce that 49 attorneys were recognized in 37 practice areas in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers…
Read MoreInsight
Taylor English Duma Receives Top Rankings in 2020 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”
November 9th, 2019
Taylor English Duma is pleased to announce the firm’s recognition in the 2020 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list….
Read MoreInsight
Taylor English Attorneys Recognized By the Best Lawyers in America
August 16th, 2019
Taylor English Duma is pleased to announce that 35 attorneys were recognized in 30 practice areas in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers…
Read MoreInsight
Could Trump Really Shut Down NBC?
October 12th, 2017
On October 11, 2017, Mitzi Hill covers the challenge to revoke NBC’s broadcasting license in an interview with The Vice. As a former…
Read MoreAbout Taylor English
Taylor English Duma LLP was built from the ground up to provide highest-quality legal services for optimal value. The firm combines the best aspects of a traditional law firm with seasoned attorneys throughout the United States. Together, our attorneys work each day to provide timely, creative, and cost-effective counsel to help clients solve problems and achieve goals. Taylor English clients run the gamut from Fortune 500 companies to middle market businesses to start ups and entrepreneurs. The firm is the Georgia law firm member of GGI Global Alliance AG, the leading worldwide alliance of accounting and law firms, giving our clients access to a trusted stable of high-quality professional services organizations around the globe.