Neil’s practice focuses on content clearance for broadcast, publication and online distribution; opinion work and counseling respecting copyright, rights of publicity and defamation matters; content and software licenses relating to website and mobile platform uses; online privacy issues; literary publishing; performing arts; trademark licensing, celebrity endorsements and branding.
He was listed in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 editions of “New York Super Lawyers/Manhattan Edition,” among 5% of Manhattan attorneys. According to the magazine, this selection was based on an independent survey of 59,000 lawyers and an evaluation by a "blue ribbon panel of preeminent peers" in each area of practice.
Neil is a frequent author and lecturer. His handbook for journalists, The Practical Guide to Libel Law, was published by Praeger and he currently writes (with partner Michael Rudell) the bi-monthly "Entertainment Law" column for the New York Law Journal. His article about fair use of film clips in documentaries appeared in the December 2008 edition of Indie Slate magazine. Other articles include "Copyright Category Confusion and Its Consequences: Online Transmissions and the Rights of Exclusive Use Under Copyright" (Published in Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, a publication of the American Bar Association); and "Releases For Docudramas: When Are They Advisable And What Goes Into Them?" (Published in Communications Lawyer, a publication of the American Bar Association.
His speaking engagements have been sponsored by the CMJ Music Marathon, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Dramatists Guild, the Association of Authors’ Representatives, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the New York County Lawyers’ Association, the New York State Bar Association and IBC Legal Studies (London), among others. Neil’s views on copyright and libel law have been cited in New York Magazine, TV Guide, Business Week, the Los Angeles Times and other publications. He also has been a line commentator on Court TV.
Neil received his J.D. from Yale Law School and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame (summa cum laude, member of Phi Beta Kappa). He is the Co-Chairman of the Copyright and Trademark Committee of the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and a member of the Executive Committee of the Section; a member of Copyright Society; he is a member of the advisory board of The Licensing Journal as well as the John J. Cali School of Music; counsel to (and member of) the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) East Coast; and he taught entertainment law for seven years as an adjunct professor at New York University School of Law. Neil was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1977 and to the New Jersey State Bar in 1976.
Representative Work:
- Counseling documentary and news producers regarding the identification and resolution of fair use, defamation and privacy issues.
- Representing packagers of music-related websites, including negotiating and drafting agreements to acquire rights in music, text and graphics.
- Advising copyright owners and licensees about terms of copyright and termination rights.
- Performing copyright due diligence on behalf of clients acquiring rights, assets and equity in corporate entities; and preparing copyright inventories and estate plans.
- Representing authors in the negotiation of agreements with book publishers.
- Counseling corporate clients involved in (or anticipating) intellectual property litigation.
- Working with classical music composers acquiring "underlying rights" in plays and books.
- Advising companies with online sites about laws and regulations applying to the use of private information.
Practice Areas
