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Entertainment & Media Law

Dana D. McDaniel

Spotts Fain's entertainment and media lawyers can provide industry-specific and general legal advice to writers, musicians, producers, directors, production companies, record labels, independent filmmakers, as well as many other local and regional creative professionals and organizations.  Our attorneys believe that counseling clients in media, entertainment and creative matters requires more than a narrow knowledge of film, music, television and publishing; it also requires the backing of a firm with a broad range of experienced corporate and litigation attorneys.  Entertainment is, at its most fundamental level, a business with many of the same pitfalls and issues as any other business. In addition to pure entertainment law advice, our attorneys can help ensure that our creative clients receive expert advice in all aspects of their business or career affairs.  From our seasoned business lawyers and litigators to our extensive intellectual property practice, Spotts Fain has the necessary resources and dedication to represent you or your business.

The entertainment and media industries are composed of many different companies and individuals, which possess varying interests, needs, and areas of expertise.  Spotts Fain appreciates the diverse and sometimes daunting legal issues facing our clients.  As a result, we also recognize the importance of providing our clients with first-rate legal services in a cost-effective manner.  Our attorneys pride themselves on effectively representing our client's interests and meeting their legal needs, which range from basic contract services for individuals to complex production and financing deals for larger businesses.  We believe that achieving the goals of each and every client is paramount.  Whether the client is local or national, new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, our attorneys offer the same high-quality professional services and render them on a practical, personal level. 

Our attorneys are willing and able to assist new clients from the earliest stages of their careers.  We value newcomers to the entertainment industry and appreciate any opportunity to provide legal services for ambitious, young individuals and businesses.  Whether you are an up-and-coming entry to the market or an established staple of the entertainment or media industries, our dynamic, young team of attorneys can provide quality representation and services, but at competitive, economical rates that please the bottom-line. 

Our Entertainment and Media Law Practice Group provides business and litigation services that include:

  • Copyright, consents, releases and permissions
  • Recording, publishing and performance contracts
  • Band/musician partnership agreements 
  • Agent and management contracts for musicians 
  • Agent and publishing agreements for authors
  • Business formation services for corporations, partnerships and individuals
  • Employment contracts for producers, directors, writers, actors, musicians and artists
  • Labor and employment services for employers of all sizes 
  • Acquisition and sale of rights to literary, musical or artistic property 
  • Production, financing and distribution services for the film and television industry
  • Intellectual property, contract, and tort litigation representation 
  • Negotiation, interpretation, and creation of entertainment industry contracts 
  • Advice on compensation, credit, artistic control and ownership rights issues

August 20, 2010 - Michael Yager, a Legal Assistant in our Litigation Section, will speak at a NALA LIVE! presentation on electronic discovery, "E-Discovery - Slow Down the Train" 

January 27, 2010 - We are proud to announce that Spotts Fain Managing Director, Hugh M. Fain, III has been elected Chair of the Board of Governors of the Virginia Bar Association

December, 2009 - Spotts Fain congratulates our shareholders named in the 2009 Legal Elite list published by Virginia Business magazine.  They are Meade Spotts, Legislative/Regulatory; Hugh Fain, Civil Litigation; Betsy Davis, Labor and Employment; and Dana McDaniel, Intellectual Property. 

December 1, 2009 - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination - article by Betsy Davis

October 29, 2009 - Betsy Davis spoke on Recent Changes in Employment Law at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys

October 27, 2009 - Spotts Fain presented, Commercial Landlords and Tenants: Planning for and Dealing with Bankruptcy, presenters were Jen West and John Anderson

October 26, 2009 - Comments on President Obama's proposal to increase lending limits on SBA loans, by Tom O'Brien

October 21, 2009 - GINA is Coming - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act - article by Betsy Davis

Spotts Fain Consulting Practice Areas