We represent authors at all stages of their careers -- world renowned ‎bestselling authors, and those who are being published for the first time.We represent some of the world’s most successful producers and creative talent, as well as owners of important films, novels and other works on which musicals and plays are based. Whether we handle a transaction in its entirety, or act as due diligence counsel, we are keenly aware of what distinguishes entertainment businesses from others being purchased or sold. We represent actors, directors, writers and other talent in all aspects of the motion picture, television, theater and digital media industries.Our attorneys are at the forefront of new developments in the production and exploitation of branded entertainment. Copyright is an essential component of almost every transaction involving creators and users of intellectual property and we provide experienced guidance. We counsel corporate clients in their business strategies, organize corporations and partnerships, and negotiate and draft a wide variety of agreements for major public corporations and privately held businesses.Our clients include documentary and other non-fiction producers; broadcasters; authors of books and writers of screenplays; digital and print publishers; playwrights and lyricists. We guide clients across the ever-changing legal and business landscape of digital content. Clients range from multinational corporations to early stage venture companies that offer news, music, satire, commentary, children's programming, and other forms of information and entertainment.Our clients produce and direct documentaries and other non-fiction series and films for broadcast and cable television; radio; web series and podcasts, SVOD and theatrical release.The firm represents executives at the highest levels of major entertainment, media, and advertising organizations. We help them structure and negotiate their employment agreements whether for new positions, the extension of existing agreements, or the structuring of settlement and separation packages. We represent clients in licensing, merchandising, and endorsements including established brands, celebrities, and authors. Our motion picture practice covers the full spectrum of the movie business. It includes advising independent film producers on financing, co-production, production, and distribution agreements; guiding directors, talent, screenwriters and distributors; and representing some of the world’s leading authors in their film rights deals with major studios. We represent recording artists, composers, major record labels and independent labels, music publishers, conductors, producers and managers.We represent presenters, producers, management companies and artists across a broad spectrum of the performing arts including theater, opera and other music.The firm's television practice covers a broad spectrum of programming across broadcast, cable, and online platforms.

Ariana J. Sarfarazi

Ariana is a transactional entertainment attorney who has been named “One to Watch” by the Best Lawyers in America. A highly versatile attorney with a diverse skillset, she handles a wide range of entertainment transactions in the theater, film/television, music, publishing, and digital media industries and advises writers, directors, actors, producers, and production companies at all stages of development and production. With legal experience both in house and in private practice, Ariana also has experience advising clients on general corporate matters, including corporate formation and governance, for both for-profit and non-profit entities, as well as counseling in a broad range of intellectual property matters, including copyright and trademark.

Ariana is a board member of the NewYorkRep, a New York City based theater company that develops and produces new plays and musicals that inspire and compel social change. She is also a volunteer attorney with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Group (EASL) and its Theater and Performing Arts Committee. Additionally, Ariana is a proud cohort member of Theatre Producers of Color (TPOC), a community of commercial theater producers of color, and a graduate of the Unlock Her Potential mentorship program for women of color in the entertainment industry.

Representative Work

Representing producers, investors, performers, bookwriters, composers, lyricists, playwrights, directors, and underlying rights holders in transactions in the theater industry, as well as serving as production counsel for theatrical productions
Counseling producers and production companies and negotiating agreements regarding content acquisition, development, production and distribution of film/TV content, as well as representing writers, actors, and directors in connection with film and scripted and unscripted television projects
Advising literary authors in a broad range of transactions, ranging from publication and collaboration agreements to option agreements for film, television, and stage adaptations
Advising clients in a wide range of transactions in the music industry, including music recording, publishing, producing, and licensing