The full-spectrum media and entertainment practice at Dentons provides a one-stop-shop service to clients across the industry, with producers, broadcasters, Hollywood studios, streamers, distributers and banks all on the team’s books. Arguably best known for its reputation in the audiovisual field, the group also shines in music publishing and video game-related matters. In Toronto, Ken Dhaliwal is sought after for his expertise in national and international film, television and streaming work, where he acts for all key sector stakeholders. Other key names in Toronto include media finance and copyright specialist Jim Russell; up-and-coming production and licensing partner Jayme Alter; and talented counsel Bob Tarantino. In Vancouver, Juliet Smith ranks among the go-to experts in British Colombia for audiovisual production and financing.
Media and entertainment in Canada
Dentons
Responsables de la pratique:
Ken Dhaliwal; Juliet Smith; Jim Russell
Autres avocats clés:
Jayme Alter; Bob Tarantino; David Steinberg
Principaux clients
Banger Films
Lionsgate Films
Shopify – Shopify Studios
Sinking Ship Entertainment
Anthem Entertainment
Kilometre Music Group
Spyglass Entertainment
Principaux dossiers
- Advised New Metric Media on various matters related to the production of several television series in 2022, including the latest seasons of the ‘Letterkenny’ series and its spin-off ‘Shoresy’.
- Acted as Canadian production counsel on the first season of the television series ‘SkyMed’, produced by Piazza Entertainment for Paramount+ and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
- Advised Anthem Entertainment on various matters, including on the acquisition of a publishing catalogue of hits by songwriter Alex Izquierdo (professionally known as Eskeerdo).
Goodmans LLP
Distinguished by the breadth of its media and entertainment offering, Goodmans LLP’s specialist expertise encompasses the film, television, sports, digital media and book publishing industries. The multidisciplinary practice is a popular choice to advise on production financing, negotiating international co-productions, and distribution matters, while it also stands out for its ability to lean into its communications group for support on regulatory issues. A leading light in the entertainment sphere, department head David Zitzerman focuses on the film, television and streaming industries in Canada and the US, as evidenced by his recent work for Amazon Studios and Blink Studios. Carolyn Stamegna specializes in media and entertainment transactions, including production financings. Tara Parker, Jaclyn Seidman and associate Aaron Barrett also focus on media and entertainment law.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Zitzerman
Autres avocats clés:
Carolyn Stamegna; Tara Parker; Jaclyn Seidman; Aaron Barrett
Les références
‘Jaclyn has been pivotal in providing strategic counsel in helping transform our content business from physical to digital. With the changing landscape of digital delivery models, and all of its complexities related to IP and privacy, it’s critical we work with someone like Jaclyn to help guide our strategic plans.’
‘Jaclyn Seidman has deep knowledge of not only our company but also the market we serve. She also has great expertise in the area of IP in the media and entertainment industry that I believe is unmatched in the legal field. She’s smarter than anyone I know and can quickly identify legal and business risks.’
Principaux clients
Amazon Studios
Alcon Entertainment
AMC Networks
Bell Media
CBS Corporation
Disney ABC Cable Networks Group
DreamWorks Animation Television
eOne Entertainment
Fifth Season, LLC (fka Endeavor Content)
EuropaCorp
The Fred Rogers Company
Media Res Studio
Insight Productions
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Motion Picture Association – Canada
9 Story Media
NBCUniversal
Nelson Education
Netflix
Rogers Communications
Shamrock Capital
Writers Guild Canada
Scholastic
Corus Entertainment
Conquering Lion Pictures
INSP TV
Showtime Networks
Warner Bros. Discovery
Hallmark Channel
Blink49 Studio
Guru Animation Studio
Shaftesbury
Nickelodeon Animation Studios
Truly Original
MGM+
C2 Motion Picture Group
Annapurna Pictures
Banijay
EndemolShine North America
Paramount+ Canada
Crown Media
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP houses a thriving entertainment, media and sports practice, which operates across a broad array of film, television, book publishing, theatre, video games and other related industries. Music law is a particular sweet spot with department chair — and former jazz producer — Casey Chisick, widely acknowledged as an authority on copyright law. Notably, Chisick paired up with Eric Mayzel to represent the Society of Authors, Composers, and Music Publishers of Canada in a landmark appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada on the meaning and interpretation of the ‘making available provision’ of the Copyright Act. The Toronto-based group also draws on department co-head Leonard Glickman and entertainment and corporate partner Lindsay Dykstra.
Responsables de la pratique:
Casey Chisick; Leonard Glickman
Autres avocats clés:
Lindsay Dykstra; Eric Mayzel; Jessica Zagar
Principaux clients
AppQuantum Publishing
Atomic Cartoons
Avril Lavigne
BBC
Bell Media
Blue Ant Media
Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency
Cavalia
CD Baby, Merlin, Saavn Media
Epic Games
Great Pacific Media
International Federation of the Phonographic Industries
Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson
Music Canada
Music Publishers Canada and International Confederation of Music Publishers
Pearson Canada
Red Brick Songs
RGK Entertainment / Open Road Recordings
Sarah McLachlan
Scott Kraft
Sesame Workshop
Shawn Mendes
Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
The Jim Henson Company
The Weeknd
Thunderbird Entertainment
Torstar Corporation
World of Wonder Entertainment
Gowling WLG
Forming a key part of a global entertainment and sports law practice, Gowling WLG is routinely engaged by a broad mix of Canadian and international clients, including individual artists, film and television producers, distributors and broadcasters, music publishers and book publishers, among others. Underpinned by the wider firm’s formidable IP offering, the group is particularly well-placed to advise on trademarks, branding, copyright and design-related matters, but it also supports on corporate and litigation issues. Toronto-based department head Susan Abramovitch leverages 25 years of transactional and contentious experience in media and entertainment law, while her triple-qualified (Ontario, Quebec and New York) status marks her as a strong choice for multi-jurisdictional work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Susan Abramovitch
Autres avocats clés:
René Bissonnette
Les références
‘It is a leader in the entertainment field and has a very knowledgeable team. Always quick to respond and available day and night. The team has taken the time and effort to understand our business and to represent our interests.’
‘We work predominantly with Susan Abramovitch. Very knowledgeable, prompt and possesses many years of experience in our sector. We value her thoughtful consideration of our issues and concerns.’
‘Susan Abramovitch makes the media and entertainment practice at Gowling WLG unique. Susan is smart with a wealth of relevant experience in the industry. I can count on Susan for intelligent, pragmatic legal advice. She is easy to work with and an excellent representative and advocate in disputes.’
Principaux clients
SSIMWAVE
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Copyright Collective of Canada
Eleanor McCain
Harlequin Enterprises
Indspire Awards
Mary Berg Media
National Arts Centre Corporation
peermusic
Plutoverse
Secret City Records / Publishing
The Quinlan Road Group/Loreena McKennitt
Shape Immersive Entertainment