Michael D. Friedman

Michael’s corporate practice covered a broad array of corporate and financial areas, including mergers and acquisitions, counseling private companies, venture capital and private financing transactions, corporate finance and restructuring, partnership, joint venture and limited liability company transactions, cross-border transactions, technology and trademark licensing, and general corporate representation, including counseling management teams and boards of directors.

Michael represented hedge funds, financial institutions, venture funds, management buy-out groups, and other sophisticated investors in structured investments, finance transactions, merger and acquisition transactions, and acquisitions, and sale of business transactions. His practice included the representation of clients engaged in technology, manufacturing, consumer products, entertainment and media, internet and digital media, retailing, telecommunications, licensing, biotech and life science, as well as investment banks, family offices, accounting firms, business consultants, and other professional organizations.

Michael’s practice also covered all aspects of media and entertainment law, including film, television, legitimate theatre, music, live event, sports, internet/new media, and trademark licensing, as well as merger and acquisition transactions with entertainment and media companies. His practice included the representation of clients in film finance transactions, rights acquisitions, film distribution, asset and library acquisitions, music publishing sales, distribution and licensing transactions, and counseling production companies and corporate and individual investors in film, television, and other media projects.

In the music industry, Michael represented various independent record labels and distributors, production companies, artists, managers, talent agencies, investors and internet/digital companies in connection with both transactional and litigation matters. He had extensive experience in artist representation, the negotiation of recording agreements, management agreements, distribution and license agreements, publishing agreements and publishing catalogue sales, merchandising agreements, film option and distribution agreements and television contracts, fine art sales, as well as commercial endorsement and sponsorship agreements.

In addition to transactional work, Michael worked with an experienced group of litigators who engage in high profile commercial litigation cases. He consulted with various artists, independent record companies, and music publishers with respect to digital/online infringement matters and royalty compliance claims. Michael also had extensive expertise in the licensing field, representing both entertainment clients, licensing agents, and commercial clients such as toy, apparel, and food manufacturers and distributors. He represented actors, writers, producers, and agents, and has served as production and/or investment counsel on various feature film and documentary projects. Michael also represented theatrical producers, repertoire companies, and investors in the legitimate theatre and has been involved with live event and touring engagements. He also represented sports figures, entertainers, and other celebrities, and/or their estates.