Kenneth M. Weinrib

	kweinrib@fwrv.com (212) 446-9787

Ken has extensive experience in transactions involving all areas of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, character licensing, theater, book publishing and music. He represents both individuals and production companies in complex transactions from the early planning stages to the exploitation of ancillary rights. He also represents executives in their employment agreements in a variety of industries, including on-air talent and producers on network and cable news programs.

Ken 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 Manhattan lawyers and an evaluation by a "blue ribbon panel of preeminent peers" in each area of practice. Ken has also been included in the current edition of the independently researched publication of Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a “notable practitioner” and referred to as a “highly respected” attorney in Media and Entertainment.

Prior to coming back to private practice in 1987, Ken was Associate General Counsel for the Jim Henson Company, Inc. (formerly known as Henson Associates, Inc.), producers of the Muppets. Ken is a former member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association, Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section, and a member of the American Bar Association, Committee on Entertainment and Sports Law, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) East Coast and the Stellar Network.

Ken has lectured extensively on film financing and production, television development and character licensing, including the American Film Institute, Law Journal Seminars "Negotiating Contracts in the Entertainment Industry," The Association of Authors’ Representatives and various continuing legal education seminars. He received a B.A. degree from New York University, his J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1984.

Representative Work:

• Representation of "A" level actors, directors, writers and production companies in theatrical motion pictures, television and live stage productions.
• Counsel to major television production companies in scripted, reality and children’s programming (many of whom have multiple series currently in distribution on the major networks, Nickelodeon, Bravo and PBS).
• Production counsel for theatrical motion pictures, from independent films to major studio films to documentaries for general theatrical release, cable networks and PBS.
• Counseling major media agencies in connection with the development, production and exploitation of branded entertainment projects for the internet, television and mobile platforms.
• Representation of multiple children’s properties in the strategic exploitation of ancillary rights, including all-encompassing "master" toy licenses with Hasbro and Mattel and a wide variety of other toy and non-toy licenses.
• Representation of authors in book publishing and motion picture and television agreements.
• Representation of celebrities as well as a variety of licensees, including large retail chains, in endorsement agreements.
• Due diligence for publicly traded and other companies acquiring media entities and intellectual property, such as libraries of television series and licensed characters.
• Representation of on-air talent and television news producers.