Hall Of Fame

Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: Media and entertainment: Cinema

Simon Associés' cinema offering advises on a range of matters for US production companies as well as independent French studios.

Media and entertainment: Cinema in France

Crossen & Borowsky

A boutique bolstered by a strong international network, Crossen & Borowsky is noted for its expertise in the entertainment, cinema and media space, advising major clients such as Sony Pictures and well-known streaming platforms on investments and rights acquisitions. European regulation is also a growing area of strength for the firm, along with privacy issues, defamation cases and advising on the production of major movies. The practice is co-led by the dual-qualified (in Paris and New York) Raechel Crossen, a specialist in regulatory, acquisition and distribution matters. Sophie Borowsky handles contentious matters, acquisitions and contract negotiations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Raechel Crossen; Sophie Borowsky


Les références

‘Sophie Borowsky and Raechel Crossen are the go-to media lawyers in France for foreign producers in particular. They are both international lawyers, who are extremely experienced, very well respected by their colleagues internationally and speak fluent English, with an expert knowledge of French and international entertainment and media law.’

‘Very practical and focused on solutions. The boutique nature of the firm means they are also extremely flexible and value their client relationships, which after many years in the business are wide and range from producers in Europe to streamers in the US and everything in between. They’re also extremely quick and very accessible.’

‘I think it’s the personal ‘go the extra mile’ level of client loyalty that stands out in my experience compared to larger corporate firms that have more of an eye on the bottom line.’

Principaux clients

Sony Pictures International Productions Inc.


Warner Bros. Entertainment France SAS


Studio Canal SAS


Apple Studios


New Line Productions Inc.


Universal Pictures


Willkie Farr & Gallaher LLP


Malko Corporation


Indian Paintbrush LLC


Romeo Drive Productions


Activist 38


Iron Box Ltd


Lunima International Limited


Same Player


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Sony Pictures International Production on how to best streamline and adapt its US co-development and co-production template to make it compliant with French law.
  • Assisted Studio Canal SAS in connection with the negotiation and drafting of a strategic first-look deal with US production company The Picture Company.
  • Provided assistance to the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher in relation to the attempted acquisition of CGR, the second largest French cinema chain and distribution company, by the founders of Mediawan.

De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés

De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés‘ multi-disciplinary practice ranges from advice on broadcasting regulations and the financing of international productions to assistance with the negotiation of operating and distribution agreements and the protection of intellectual property rights. Charles-Edouard Renault is well known for his skill in film finance and film production disputes, acting for French film companies as well as financial institutions. He leads the team with Louis de Gaulle, an IP specialist, Julien Horn, who is experienced in IP litigation, and media and film production law expert Philippe Moncorps.

Responsables de la pratique:

Louis de Gaulle; Julien Horn; Charles-Edouard Renault; Philippe Moncorps


Principaux clients

GOOD HERO


247 Films


ASO-Amaury Sport Organization


DreamWorks Animation


HBO


JP MORGAN CHASE


Microsoft


NBCUniversal


No Money Production


Paramount


TF1


Twentieth Century Fox


UEFA


Warner Bros. Discovery


ITV USA


Taylor Wessing

Headquartered in Paris but with a broad international scope, Taylor Wessing is commended for its full-service entertainment offering, spanning both day-to-day operations and complex, cross-border matters. The firm caters to both international and domestic clients in the industry, in particular producers, distributors, and financial institutions. The practice is strengthened by the considerable expertise of leads Christian Valsamidis, who is recognised in the field for his expertise in banking and IP issues in the entertainment industry, Claire Saint-Laurent-Mantoux, who has longstanding experience in contractual matters and the international financing of projects, and disputes-focused Benoît Goulesque-Monaux.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christian Valsamidis; Claire Saint-Laurent-Mantoux; Benoît Goulesque-Monaux


Principaux clients

Chapter 2


Chanel


L’Oréal Mugler


Animaj SAS


Studios D-Mondes (Group D 2J In Reunion Island)


Curiosa


Autopilot/Film Invaders


Mandarin Television


Films Sous Influence/Yvan Attal


Fargo


Fortiche Production/Animation Series “Arcane»


Mely Production/Mélanie Laurent


Sophie Barthes – Aden Film


Europacorp


Seattle Avocats

The sizeable team at Seattle Avocats is well equipped to assist artists and production companies (most notably, The Jokers Lab and Mediapart) with a wide range of issues. The practice is led by François Ronget, an industry specialist who handles litigation as well as advising on IP issues. Other key contacts are Emmanuel Tordjman and Olivia Lévy, an expert in IP law.

Responsables de la pratique:

François Ronget


Autres avocats clés:

Emmanuel Tordjman; Olivia Lévy


Principaux clients

Solloby


The Jokers Lab


Berbere tv


Mediapart tv


L’humanité


Doumbe production


The media company


Hélène Constanty


Amadou Mariko


6 Doing Jazz


Coyote


Station animation


Damla production


Un monde meilleur


Big nose


Horizon Media


hiflyrecords


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Mediapart in a dispute concerning the use of television programme footage in the film Mediacrash, produced by Bangumi and the client.
  • Advised Doumbe Production on the negotiation of the transfer of rights from the client and the family of Assa Traoré to Tohu Bohu and HBO France with a view to producing a documentary on the Adama Traoré case.
  • Representing The Jokers Lab, the owner of the rights to the award-winning documentary “Bambi”, in the pre-litigation stages of a dispute with production company Agat Films, which wishes to produce a fiction series about Bambi.

Spring Legal

Spring Legal is noted for representing well-known French and international production companies and studios. The team is co-led by Karine Riahi, who specialises in the financing of film and audiovisual productions, with experience in everything from contract negotiation to the transfer of copyrights, and Julien Brunet, who brings to bear expertise in copyright, trade mark and media law. In addition, Vincent Amar contributes knowledge of IP and digital law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Karine Riahi; Julien Brunet


Autres avocats clés:

Vincent Amar


Les références

‘They are more than just a law firm – they are our partners in day-to-day matters. They are understanding, proactive, very competent in copyright matters  and contract negotiations, and very assertive.’

‘Karine Riahi and Julien Brunet stand out for their availability, their commitment, their forcefulness, their competence and the innovation they demonstrate. They are our partners in every way.’

‘The special traits of our team at Spring Legal are their personable services, attention to detail and dedication.’

Principaux clients

Par-Tak Films


The Ink Connection


La Méridienne


2 Oaks


TAT Productions


Blackpills Studio


Les Films du Lézard


Willow Films


Pressman Films


Cofiloisirs


Naia Productions


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Tat Productions on the clearance of rights and the negotiation of distribution and financing agreements related to animated films produced by the client.
  • Advised Orange Studio on the due diligence on the full chain-of-title of 50 films and TV series included in the client’s catalogue in the context of its acquisition by Canal+.

Steering Legal

Well-established in the entertainment sector, Steering Legal has over 20 years’ of experience in cinema law. Representing a diverse array of clients, the firm's recent workload includes assisting production companies Terra Mater Studios and Pan-Européenne with a range of financing issues, as well as advising a leading Chadian lawyer and human rights activist on the adaptation rights of her life. Since publication, Stéphanie Berland and Leslie Herail left the firm.

Principaux clients

Fire Engine Ltd


Terra Mater Factual Studios GMBH


Vidhi Films


Jacqueline Moudeina


Pan Europeenne


Minimum Fax Media


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Terra Mater Studios in relation to the liquidation proceedings of major French distributor Marco Polo Productions, which distributed the client’s feature film “Brothers of the Wind”.
  • Advising Pan-Européenne on acquisition of a majority stake in Maybe Movies.
  • Advising Chadian lawyer and human rights activist Jacqueline Moudeina on the negotiation of the adaptation rights of her life for a film to be produced by Archer Gray.

UGGC Avocats

UGGC Avocats has a strong reputation in the entertainment industry, acting for an impressive roster of clients that includes Bpifrance and Paradiso Media. The practice is particularly noted for its skills in cross-border cases, particularly involving US, European and African clients. Industry veteran Anne-Marie Pecoraro leads the team, bringing over 25 years of experience working in the media and entertainment sector to her advice to leading international studios and production companies. She is supported by Rodolphe Boissau, whose areas of strength include copyright litigation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Anne-Marie Pecoraro


Autres avocats clés:

Rodolphe Boissau


Les références

‘Anne-Marie Pecoraro is to be commended for her efficiency, courtesy, and the relationship she establishes with the client.’

‘Anne-Marie Pecoraro is undoubtedly a great lawyer in the field of cinema, music and entertainment law.’

‘Our team of advisors have a human touch, and are experienced and available at any time. They are a source of suggestions, advising us on the best possible direction to take while setting out the possibilities available to us. They are true experts in intellectual property matters. The team is also innovative in relation to billing and in its way of collaborating and creating synergies.’

‘I have known Anne-Marie Pecoraro for some time now, and have always been impressed by her work and her strategic vision. I also appreciate her personal qualities, which make her a perfect colleague.’

‘Rodolphe Boissau is also a brilliant lawyer who manages the files perfectly and keeps us regularly informed.’

‘Anne-Marie Pecoraro has great experience in the French media industry.’

Principaux clients

BPIFrance


Paradiso Media


Pif et Hercule – Action Vaillant


Euzhan Palcy


Les Films de la plage


Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC)


Chloe Saada


Rafe Production


Echo Studio


Self Media


Thraces Productions and Eliana Bantchev


Helsinki FILMi


Before June


Maylin Pultar


360 Paris Music Factory


Selfmedia


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised screenwriter and producer Euzhan Palcy on her film projects and the protection of her image.
  • Assisting Thraces Production and Eliana Bantchev (as producer, writer and director) on the production of a feature-length documentary on her life and work.
  • Assisting Before June with the negotiation of contracts to incorporate concerts performed by singer Maylin Pultar into films.

Racine

Noted for its expertise in the media and entertainment space, Racine frequently advises production companies on regulatory and tax issues. The group has also assisted major media companies such as Mediawan with title analysis, content reviews and clearances. The team is led by renowned IP expert Charles Bouffier along with Maud Bakouche and Xavier Rollet.

Responsables de la pratique:

Charles Bouffier; Maud Bakouche; Xavier Rollet


Les références

‘Charles Bouffier’s team at Racine is simply excellent!’

‘Charles Bouffier is simply great. Super engaged, knowledgeable and offers a great overall service. Every conversation with him makes you smarter and usually solves the problem you have. Moreover, it’s always pleasant to work with Charles.’

‘The Racine media team is on a human scale, which allows for very appreciable speed of action and advice.’

‘Charles Bouffier has very good knowledge of the business and technological issues in the world of SVOD platforms. This allows you to receive tailor-made advice without having to spend time explaining the complex issues. It’s a real advantage.’

‘Charles Bouffier has great expertise in the field of copyright law.’

‘Racine is unique in that they are well versed in international production issues. All of the attorneys that I dealt with are extremely knowledgeable in multiple areas of the law (tax, corporate structuring, entertainment and production), and it was very helpful that the team of attorneys assisting me were all fluent in the English language.’

‘Pragmatic and efficient.’

Principaux clients

SPL Air 217


Filmédis


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised SPL Air 217 on the creation of a film studio on the former Air Force Base 217 in the communes of Brétigny-sur-Orge and Plessis-Pâté.
  • Represented the court-appointed liquidator of film production company Filmédis with the recovery of ownership of illegally misappropriated films.

Taliens

Representing leading clients such as Amazon Studios and the BBC, Taliens' cinema law team offers expertise in the French and Anglophone markets and is therefore well positioned to advise US and UK media players looking to expand into France. The team is led by Clara Steinitz, a specialist in IP litigation and advisory work. Jean-Frédéric Gaultier, who oversees complex and sensitive IP and media disputes, and Emilie Gras are other key figures in the department.

Responsables de la pratique:

Clara Steinitz


Autres avocats clés:

Jean-Frédéric Gaultier; Emilie Gras


Principaux clients

Amazon and related Amazon media entities


Associated Newspapers


BBC


Froggie Productions


Looks Filmproduktionen


News Corp


Paramount Global


The Guardian


TimeOut


TripAdvisor


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Paramount Global and associated production companies on commercial agreements with luxury and designer fashion brands relating to the popular Netflix series “Emily in Paris”.