Ken Weinrib Named to Top 20

Partner Ken Weinrib was recently named one of New York’s Top 20 Entertainment Attorneys by The Hollywood Reporter.   In their December 1, 2021 issue, the venerable entertainment industry magazine spotlighted those lawyers “at the forefront of deals and disputes” in the worlds of theater, fashion, media and music.  Their profile of Ken Weinrib noted his work on the “ultra-popular” Netflix series The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, his thoughts on ensuring a stable entertainment industry in the time of COVID, and having a healthy work-life balance.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/new-york-power-lawyers-2021/kenneth-weinrib-2/

Ken Weinrib Named “Power Lawyer” by The Hollywood Reporter

Congratulations to FWRV partner Ken Weinrib, recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as one of New York’s Top 20 “Power Lawyers” in entertainment law. Notwithstanding challenges posed by COVID to NYC’s entertainment industry, Ken continues to shape film, TV and theater deals with expertise and enthusiasm.

Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/power-lawyers-2020-new-yorks-top-20-entertainment-attorneys

FWRV Attorneys on Super Lawyers New York Metro Edition for 2020

The Super Lawyers 2020 New York Metro edition lists partners Steven Beer, Richard Beyman, Elliot Brown, Eric Brown, Nick Gordon, Matthew Lefferts, Neil Rosini, Michael Rudell, Rose Schwartz, Daniel Wasser and Ken Weinrib in the Entertainment and Sports area of practice. John Vassallo was also listed in the Family Law area of practice.

According to Super Lawyers, attorneys are selected in a four-step process beginning with nominations by their peers. They are then evaluated by “third-party researchers across 12 key categories.” In the third step, a peer evaluation known as the “blue ribbon review” narrows the list. 5% of attorneys make the final selection for Super Lawyers in that state.

Best Lawyers 2021 Honors Julie Angell, Elliot Brown, Michael Rudell and Ken Weinrib, Who Also is Named “Lawyer of the Year”

Julie Angell, Elliot Brown, Michael Rudell and Ken Weinrib were named to the 2021 Edition of “Best Lawyers in America,” it was announced today.

Each was selected in the category of Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television. Michael was also selected in the category of Entertainment Law – Music; and Elliot and Ken were also selected in the category of Entertainment Law – Theater.

According to Best Lawyers, this accolade “is based entirely on peer review” and its methodology “is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.”

In addition, Ken Weinrib was named “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television in New York City. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and location is honored with a “Lawyer of the Year” award based on “highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region,” according to Best Lawyers.

FWRV Maintains Chambers’ Elite Ranking

“Renowned entertainment boutique”

The 2019 edition of America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers USA, has once again named FWRV one of three top-ranking New York firms in the category of Media and Entertainment practice, covering film, music, television and theater.

Chambers commended FWRV as a “[r]enowned entertainment boutique capable of handling a wide array of transactions across the film, television, music, theater, and publishing fields.” Chambers also noted that the firm “represents film and television studios, record labels, advertisers and financiers involved in the entertainment industry,” and that the firm “[f]requently negotiates talent and employment agreements for prominent executives in the entertainment sector.”

Four of the firm’s partners were cited in particular as “notable practitioners” in the Media and Entertainment category.

Michael Rudell “continues to be regarded as an ‘excellent’ media and entertainment partner,” whose knowledge and experience “includes representing authors, journalists, television producers and other individuals.” He also was designated the sole Senior Statesperson in Media & Entertainment: Film & Television.

Elliot Brown (listed in Band 1 of Leading Individuals of the Media & Entertainment: Theatre category) is described as a “preeminent theater expert who acts for a wide range of clients involved in the production of Broadway shows.” He is also “a very experienced lawyer” and “terrific to work with.” Citing the firm’s strengths, Chambers wrote: “They are excellent and very experienced theater lawyers.”

Nick Gordon is “described by sources as ‘a true professional and skilled communicator,’” and “offers considerable expertise in media and entertainment matters, with a particular emphasis on transactions in the music sector.” Nick Gordon is also listed in Band 1 of Leading Individuals of the Media & Entertainment: Music category.

Ken Weinrib, is ranked in Band 2 of Leading Individuals in the Media & Entertainment: Film & Television category whose experience “encompasses talent, production and employment agreements” and “act[ing] for a myriad of stakeholders in the film and television industry.”

• 2018 Edition: “Fellow practitioners say: ‘It’s a high, high-quality practice. They are who I’d send a referral or a conflict to.’”
  
  “Sources point out the firm’s ‘very strong live stage practice’ as a particular highlight.”
• 2017 Edition: A “[r]enowned entertainment boutique capable of handling a wide array of transactions across the film, television, music, theater, and publishing fields.” The firm “represents film and television studios, record labels, advertisers and financiers involved in the entertainment industry,” and that the “firm [f]requently negotiates talent and employment agreements for prominent executives in the entertainment sector.”
• 2016 Edition: A boutique firm with a well-established reputation in film, television, music and theater. Also represents authors and other writers, as well as investors in the media and entertainment space.
  
  Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
  
  “I like that there’s somebody there with a great level of expertise in every area we need, and they work exceptionally well together in their different departments.”
  
  “A great law firm that does it all. Their people are excellent in their areas.”
• 2015 Edition: Offers clients a wealth of experience handling significant media and entertainment transactions in the film, television, theater and music industries.
• 2014 Edition: Boutique entertainment practice comprising highly skilled practitioners. Offers extensive expertise across both new media and traditional media platforms. “There are excellent people there.”
• 2013 Edition: This boutique entertainment firm continues to represent clients from all corners of the industry, from traditional television, film, music and theater to more innovative new media. It is commended for its breadth and depth of industry knowledge. Sources say: “High quality!”
• 2012 Edition: This superb boutique is recognized throughout the market for the quality and range of services it provides to clients in the industry. The firm has expertise across the spectrum of film, television, music and theater issues, and in addition to its strengths in these areas, is widely sought after to advise on publishing, branded entertainment and digital media. Sources say: “A quality firm.” “They are excellent.”
• 2011 Edition: This highly regarded firm continues to provide clients with superior standard of service. Its exceptional media and entertainment team offers wide-ranging counsel relating to motion picture and TV work, publishing and live theater. Sources say: “This is an excellent firm that provides a broad high-quality practice.”
• 2010 Edition: This group excels thanks to its exceptional team of specialists who provide a broad range of expertise in issues relating to the film, TV, theater, music and publishing industries. Clients range from actors, directors and TV production companies, through to major music labels and film studios. Sources say:“At the top of the field due to the breadth and exceptional quality of the practice.”
• 2009 Edition: “Entertainment law runs through the veins of this firm,” which attracts praise for “its creativity, approachability and top quality counsel.” The group advises producers and investors in TV, film and theater and acts for authors involved in TV and motion picture deals.
• 2008 Edition: “A responsive outfit full of imaginative and innovative lawyers.” Sources say that this significant boutique is a prolific performer on noteworthy issues in entertainment, where it acts for authors on their film rights and on topics relating to financing agreements. The team “produces incredibly reliable advice” and continues to be “an incredibly strong choice” for theater, motion pictures production and distribution, music publishing and recordings, and independent film production companies.

U.S. News-Best Lawyers Rankings Again Place FWRV at Top

U.S. News-Best Lawyers again placed FWRV in their Tier 1 (highest possible ranking) of law firms at both national and New York City levels in the category “Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures & Television” in their 2019 edition.

“Best Law Firms” is a collaboration between U.S. News & World Report and the “Best Lawyers” peer review guide. According to the publication, “[r]ankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.”

Clients who participated in the rankings were asked to provide feedback addressing “expertise, responsiveness, understanding of a business and its needs, cost-effectiveness, civility, and whether they would refer another client to the firm.” Lawyers voted on “expertise, responsiveness, integrity, cost-effectiveness, whether they would refer a matter to a firm, and whether they consider a firm a worthy competitor.” Law firms were asked to provide “general demographic and background information on the law firm and attorneys, and other data that speaks to the strengths of a law firm’s practice areas.”

The 2019 “Best Law Firms” rankings are published at the U.S. News & World Report website: https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/

Rose Schwartz and Ken Weinrib Selected by Billboard Magazine for 2019 Top Music Lawyers List

Rose Schwartz and Ken Weinrib were included in this year’s Top Music Lawyers List by Billboard Magazine.

According to their website, selected individuals are “chosen by [Billboard] editors based on factors including, but not limited to, nominations by peers, colleagues and superiors at selected major music companies, live music promoters, digital and streaming companies, and law firms. In addition to nominations, editors weigh impact on consumer behavior as measured by such metrics as chart, sales and streaming performance from Nielsen Music; social media impressions; career trajectory; and overall impact on the music industry.”

Firm Receives Unique Recognition

FWRV is the only entertainment firm on Super Lawyers list of “50 Law Firms Professionals Should Know About”

As we celebrate our 50^th year of practicing entertainment law, FWRV is honored to have been selected as the only Entertainment and Sports Law firm included by Super Lawyers on its New York Metro edition list of “50 Law Firms Professionals Should Know About.” This recognition was published in a recent New Yorker magazine.

List of Top Attorneys Includes Rose Schwartz

New York Times published.

Rose Schwartz has been named one of the Top Women Attorneys in Metro New York. The listing will appear in the NY Times Magazine section this month.

Michael Rudell: “Lawyer of the Year”

Selected by US News/Best Lawyers as 2014 New York Lawyer of the Year in the entertainment law category.