The Nissenbaum Law Group's focus in commercial law has given it the experience of advising numerous business clients, providing it with a unique understanding of the intersection between the legal and business aspects of the sports and entertainment industries.

The firm is committed to provide each client with a comprehensive, cost-effective solution that is protective of the client's rights and at the same time conducive to promoting that client's particular talents. One of the most important aspects of the representation of athletes and artists is the establishment and maintenance of that individual as a "brand." The firm is especially mindful of this. It works to protect the strength of the client's brand through careful negotiation and contract drafting, and by utilizing prevailing intellectual property laws.

The firm's services in this area include:

• Organizational documents for musical groups
• Athlete and celebrity endorsement and appearance agreements
• Formation of independent record labels and management, production and publishing companies
• Purchase and sale of independent record labels and other entertainment entities
• Review and negotiation of recording, CD and music video production and management agreements
• Negotiation of literary and screenplay rights
• Event sponsorship agreements
• Pre-production review for television, film and print media
• Negotiation of music and branding-related clearances
• Negotiation of publishing rights related to theater productions
• Review and negotiation of television and film talent agreements
• Registration, maintenance and enforcement of copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights, including practice before the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board on behalf of singers, songwriters, bands and corporate entities
• Litigation of trademark and copyright infringement claims
• Review and negotiation of license, assignment and royalty agreements

In 2010, Laura Magedoff, the principal of our firm who heads our Entertainment & Sports Law Practice Group, was elected Chair of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association. In addition, some of our past and present attorneys have previously worked in a variety of Entertainment and Sports-related legal departments, including: Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games of 2002, SFX Sports Group as a division of Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Shooting Gallery, Inc., Tapestry International, Ltd, and Zomba Recording Corp.

Published Works:

Pay or Play? The Jeremy Bloom Decision and the NCAA Amateurism Rules, 13 Fordham Intell. Prop. Media & Ent. L.J. 673 (2003), Spring, 2003

If you have questions about how we can assist you with your entertainment or sports law matters, please contact us.