Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Media and entertainment in Canada

Dentons

The full-spectrum media and entertainment practice at Dentons provides a one-stop-shop service to clients across the industry, with producers, broadcasters, Hollywood studios, streamers, distributers and banks all on the team’s books. Arguably best known for its reputation in the audiovisual field, the group also shines in music publishing and video game-related matters. In Toronto, Ken Dhaliwal is sought after for his expertise in national and international film, television and streaming work, where he acts for all key sector stakeholders. Other key names in Toronto include media finance and copyright specialist Jim Russell; up-and-coming production and licensing partner Jayme Alter; and talented counsel Bob Tarantino. In Vancouver, Juliet Smith ranks among the go-to experts in British Colombia for audiovisual production and financing.

Practice head(s):

Ken Dhaliwal; Juliet Smith; Jim Russell


Other key lawyers:

Jayme Alter; Bob Tarantino; David Steinberg


Key clients

Banger Films


Lionsgate Films


Shopify – Shopify Studios


Sinking Ship Entertainment


Anthem Entertainment


Kilometre Music Group


Spyglass Entertainment


Work highlights


  • Advised New Metric Media on various matters related to the production of several television series in 2022, including the latest seasons of the ‘Letterkenny’ series and its spin-off ‘Shoresy’.
  • Acted as Canadian production counsel on the first season of the television series ‘SkyMed’, produced by Piazza Entertainment for Paramount+ and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  • Advised Anthem Entertainment on various matters, including on the acquisition of a publishing catalogue of hits by songwriter Alex Izquierdo (professionally known as Eskeerdo).

Goodmans LLP

Distinguished by the breadth of its media and entertainment offering, Goodmans LLP’s specialist expertise encompasses the film, television, sports, digital media and book publishing industries. The multidisciplinary practice is a popular choice to advise on production financing, negotiating international co-productions, and distribution matters, while it also stands out for its ability to lean into its communications group for support on regulatory issues. A leading light in the entertainment sphere, department head David Zitzerman focuses on the film, television and streaming industries in Canada and the US, as evidenced by his recent work for Amazon Studios and Blink Studios. Carolyn Stamegna specializes in media and entertainment transactions, including production financings. Tara Parker, Jaclyn Seidman and associate Aaron Barrett also focus on media and entertainment law.

Practice head(s):

David Zitzerman


Other key lawyers:

Carolyn Stamegna; Tara Parker; Jaclyn Seidman; Aaron Barrett


Testimonials

‘Jaclyn has been pivotal in providing strategic counsel in helping transform our content business from physical to digital. With the changing landscape of digital delivery models, and all of its complexities related to IP and privacy, it’s critical we work with someone like Jaclyn to help guide our strategic plans.’

‘Jaclyn Seidman has deep knowledge of not only our company but also the market we serve. She also has great expertise in the area of IP in the media and entertainment industry that I believe is unmatched in the legal field. She’s smarter than anyone I know and can quickly identify legal and business risks.’

Key clients

Amazon Studios


Alcon Entertainment


AMC Networks


Bell Media


CBS Corporation


Disney ABC Cable Networks Group


DreamWorks Animation Television


eOne Entertainment


Fifth Season, LLC (fka Endeavor Content)


EuropaCorp


The Fred Rogers Company


Google


Media Res Studio


Insight Productions


Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment


Motion Picture Association – Canada


9 Story Media


NBCUniversal


Nelson Education


Netflix


Rogers Communications


Shamrock Capital


Writers Guild Canada


Scholastic


Corus Entertainment


Conquering Lion Pictures


INSP TV


Showtime Networks


Warner Bros. Discovery


Hallmark Channel


Blink49 Studio


Guru Animation Studio


Shaftesbury


Nickelodeon Animation Studios


Truly Original


MGM+


C2 Motion Picture Group


Annapurna Pictures


Banijay


EndemolShine North America


Paramount+ Canada


Crown Media


Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP houses a thriving entertainment, media and sports practice, which operates across a broad array of film, television, book publishing, theatre, video games and other related industries. Music law is a particular sweet spot with department chair — and former jazz producer — Casey Chisick, widely acknowledged as an authority on copyright law. Notably, Chisick paired up with Eric Mayzel to represent the Society of Authors, Composers, and Music Publishers of Canada in a landmark appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada on the meaning and interpretation of the ‘making available provision’ of the Copyright Act. The Toronto-based group also draws on department co-head Leonard Glickman and entertainment and corporate partner Lindsay Dykstra.

Practice head(s):

Casey Chisick; Leonard Glickman


Other key lawyers:

Lindsay Dykstra; Eric Mayzel; Jessica Zagar


Key clients

AppQuantum Publishing


Atomic Cartoons


Avril Lavigne


BBC


Bell Media


Blue Ant Media


Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency


Cavalia


CD Baby, Merlin, Saavn Media


Epic Games


Great Pacific Media


International Federation of the Phonographic Industries


Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson


Music Canada


Music Publishers Canada and International Confederation of Music Publishers


Pearson Canada


Red Brick Songs


RGK Entertainment / Open Road Recordings


Sarah McLachlan


Scott Kraft


Sesame Workshop


Shawn Mendes


Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)


The Jim Henson Company


The Weeknd


Thunderbird Entertainment


Torstar Corporation


World of Wonder Entertainment


Gowling WLG

Forming a key part of a global entertainment and sports law practice, Gowling WLG  is routinely engaged by a broad mix of Canadian and international clients, including individual artists, film and television producers, distributors and broadcasters, music publishers and book publishers, among others. Underpinned by the wider firm’s formidable IP offering, the group is particularly well-placed to advise on trademarks, branding, copyright and design-related matters, but it also supports on corporate and litigation issues. Toronto-based department head Susan Abramovitch leverages 25 years of transactional and contentious experience in media and entertainment law, while her triple-qualified (Ontario, Quebec and New York) status marks her as a strong choice for multi-jurisdictional work.

Practice head(s):

Susan Abramovitch


Other key lawyers:

René Bissonnette


Testimonials

‘It is a leader in the entertainment field and has a very knowledgeable team. Always quick to respond and available day and night. The team has taken the time and effort to understand our business and to represent our interests.’

‘We work predominantly with Susan Abramovitch. Very knowledgeable, prompt and possesses many years of experience in our sector. We value her thoughtful consideration of our issues and concerns.’

‘Susan Abramovitch makes the media and entertainment practice at Gowling WLG unique. Susan is smart with a wealth of relevant experience in the industry. I can count on Susan for intelligent, pragmatic legal advice. She is easy to work with and an excellent representative and advocate in disputes.’

‘Gowlings is exceptional in my area (arts and entertainment) and Susan and her team are warm, friendly and thorough, while at the same time respecting that time and money matters. And one knows they are receiving the best advice possible.’

‘I work most often with Susan Abramovitch. Having someone at the absolute top of their profession as a legal advisor offers a strong sense of comfort and relief that we are engaging with our artists appropriately. She demonstrably cares in the impact of her guidance and work, and the outcome of the art.’

Key clients

SSIMWAVE


Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)


Copyright Collective of Canada


Eleanor McCain


Harlequin Enterprises


Indspire Awards


Mary Berg Media


National Arts Centre Corporation


peermusic


Plutoverse


Secret City Records / Publishing


The Quinlan Road Group/Loreena McKennitt


Shape Immersive Entertainment