ENTERTAINMENT LAW

Wade M. German, Esq. provides legal counsel to playwrights, composers, screenwriters, actors, directors, musicians, business executives, and producers of film, TV, theater, music, internet-web series, and podcasts. Mr. German has substantial experience as production counsel on independent films. He has also produced several films.

The Firm's current and former entertainment clients include, for example, film producers whose work has appeared in the Sundance Film Festival, series producers whose work has appeared on Vice Media, and actors/singers who have performed in The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Girls on HBO, numerous Woody Allen films, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Colbert Report, and over one dozen musicals on Broadway. 

As lead attorney, Mr. German has negotiated and prepared contracts against, for instance, Vice Media, IHeartMedia + Entertainment, Penske Media (owner of Rolling Stone Magazine, Variety, Deadline, Women’s Wear Daily), and many others. He was also lead counsel on the launch of experimental art magazine, Quiet Lunch.

Prior to establishing this Firm in 2015, Mr. German worked for Creative Artists Agency (CAA) where he was a legal assistant, The Public Theater where he was a script reader and show scout, the Next to Normal workshop at Second Stage Theatre, Jujamcyn Theaters (owner and operator of five Broadway theaters), and Tony Award winning librettist/lyricist Steven Sater, all in New York City.

The Law Offices of Wade M. German, P.L.L.C. provides entertainment legal services including but not limited to:

Counseling on U.S. copyright law, Free Speech, and the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution

Filing copyright registrations with the U.S. Copyright Office

Researching rights availability of literary properties

Reviewing scripts for clearance of copyright, trademark, defamation, and invasion of privacy claims

Preparing and negotiating contracts including but not limited to:

Agreements for writers, directors, talent, musicians, and producers for the development and production of theater, film, television, and web series

Investor agreements

Broadway operating agreements

Collaboration agreements

Option agreements

Shopping agreements

Assignment of rights

Forming state recognized business entities including limited liability companies (LLC) and corporations (c-corps, s-corps, and more) for producers, investors, and other business persons, as well as for artists (such as performers, dramatists, writers, directors, choreographers, and musicians)

Preparing business organization operating agreements and bylaws

Filing trade and service marks with the United States Patent and Trade Organization (USPTO)