After nearly three decades of operation, Pierce Law Group LLP has made the difficult decision to close its doors. In order to keep our late founder David Albert Pierce’s legacy alive, key Pierce Law Group personnel, including Managing Partner Aditya Ezhuthachan, Of Counsel Tony Hanna, and Controller Ben Kuerschner, will move the firm’s renowned entertainment legal practice to elite Beverly Hills boutique Pessah Law Group, PC (PLG).
All Pierce Law Group clients, old and new, who join us at PLG will benefit from an expanded slate of services and a more robust roster of experienced and talented attorneys.
Please visit the Pessah Law Group website for more information and contact us at our new home.
Industry Wisdom
COVID-19
9 Essential COVID-19 Rules for MovieMakers: A Short Legal Guide (July 2020)
Industry Primers
Indie Law: Our Entertainment Law Expert Pulls Your Legal Questions From The MM Mailbag (Aug. 2019)
Swindler’s List (Feb. 2017)
Cinema Law: How To Tell The Truth Without Paying For It (Aug. 2016)
10 Legal FAQs That Can Make or Break Your Production (Sept. 2010)
Protecting Your Screenplay from Theft (2005)
Independent Moviemaking: Myths & Legends (March 2004)
Clearance/Licensing
Indie Law: How to Secure and Hold the Rights to Your Project (Feb. 2019)
Staying Clear: The First Amendment Can Help Protect You and Your Documentary from Lawsuits (2015)
Cinema Law: Who Owns the Copyright to Behind the Scenes Footage? (April 2011)
Filming U.S. Currency (March 2011)
Music to Your Ears (2008)
Some Privacy Here (2006)
Questions About Contests & Clearances (2005)
Clearance Procedures Guidelines
What Every Photographer Should Know About Copyrights, Licenses & Releases
Intellectual Property in the Digital Age
Social Media
Your Video Just Went Viral. Are You Sure You Own It? (April 2021)
'It's not play if you're making money': how Instagram and YouTube disrupted child labor laws (April 2019)
How Instant Communications Can Help or Hurt Celebrities
DMCA’s Section 512(f) Remains Toothless in Light of Lenz Decision
Employment/Contract
Film Labor Laws: What Moviemakers Should Know (Feb. 2020)
'It's not play if you're making money': how Instagram and YouTube disrupted child labor laws (April 2019)
Unpaid Interns: Ethical Exploitation (2015)
Casting Close Calls (2011)
Barebone Contract Terms (2010)
Minor Contracts, Major Headaches (2006)
Child Actors: What’s All The Fuss
Overview of Basic Employment Laws Affecting Production Companies in California
Production Safety: Who Needs a Wake Up Call
Overview of Common Family & Medical Leave Issues
Overtime Exemptions for Computer Professionals
How & When to Unload a Problem Employee: Rightful Discharges
Classification of Workers: Independent Contractor vs. Employee
Checklist for How to Respond to an Internal Harassment Complaint
Distribution
Maximizing Distribution Deals-Selling Out Smart (2014)
Refreshing Distribution 2013 (2013)
Distribution in 2012 (Jan. 2012)
A Foreign Affair (2006)
Let’s Make a Deal (2006)
Business/Finance
Indie Law: Five Ways Shady Producers Bilk Investors (Jan. 2021)
Indie Law: Make Your Feature's Development Less Dicey With Loyal Legal Counsel and Financing Foresight (Nov. 2018)
Indie Law: Learn Why These Three Types of Attorneys Will Give Your Production a Boost, and How To Pick Them (July 2018)
Indie Law: Put the Green in Greenlight With This Guide to the Most Effective Film Financing Tactics (June 2018)
Why Moviemakers Should be Very, Very Careful About Equity Crowdfunding (Jan. 2016)
Five Best Practice Tips to Get Most Out of Your Incentive (Jan. 2016)
The Producer’s Sacred Trinity: UPMs, Accountants & Attorneys (2013)
Reality TV Stars Tax Problems: Death, Taxes & Comebacks (2013)
Cinema Law: What's an LLC, And Does Every Production Need One? (May 2011)
To Guarantee or Not to Guarantee (2005)
Risky Business Equity Investments (2004)
