Boutique firm Crossen & Borowsky has a strong focus on international coproduction and financing in television and film. With an in-depth understanding of the US market, the team is often involved in cross-border negotiations and the drafting of international documentation. Raechel Crossen and Sophie Borowsky both have over 30 years of experience in cinema law. Stand-out work includes advising Warner Bros Entertainment on the negotiation and drafting of the distribution agreement, security documentation, and chain of title review for the release of a film based on the book ‘Le Petit Nicolas’.
Media and entertainment: Cinema in France
Crossen & Borowsky
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Studiocanal SAS
Sony Pictures International Productions
Warner Bros Entertainment France
Pathé Films
NBC Universal
Indian Paintbrush
Altitude Films
Luminous Arts Ltd.
Lunima International Ltd.
Space Age Films Ltd.
Memento SA
Activist 33
Komplizen Films
Diaphana Distribution
El Paso Production
Lamarr Distribution
Memento Distribution
Same Player
Nac Films
Work highlights
- Advising NBC Universal in connection with various issues of international private law raised in an option agreement entered into between a US company and a French author subject to California law.
- Assisting Warner Bros Entertainment with the negotiation and drafting of the distribution agreement, security documentation and chain of title review of a film based on the famous book series ‘Le Petit Nicolas’ by Jean-Jacques Sempé.
- Assisted Warner Bros Entertainment France in relation to competing securities and demands for payment regarding a film distributed the client.
De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés
The ‘proactive, very responsive and knowledgeable’ team at De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés handles traditional work for major industry players, but also assists VOD and SVOD providers with their legal matters. Charles Edouard-Renault is an arbitrator for the International Film and Television Association and WIPA for alternative dispute resolution in film and media. Julien Horn has a particular strength in intellectual property litigation. Philippe Moncorps is an expert in audiovisual transformations such as content production and protection. With expertise in intellectual property and commercial law, Louis De Gaulle is another key name.
Practice head(s):
Louis De Gaulle ; Julien Horn; Charles Edouard-Renault; Philippe Moncorps
Testimonials
‘This team is proactive, very responsive and knowledgeable.’
‘I would give a special mention to Charles-Edouard Renault.’
Key clients
247 Films
ASO-Amaury Sport organization
DreamWorks Animation
HBO
JP MORGAN CHASE
Koch Films
Microsoft
NBCUniversal
No Money Production
Paramount
Spotify
TF1
Twentieth Century Fox
UEFA
Warner Bros. (US)
Working Title Films
Taylor Wessing
Taylor Wessing‘s cross-disciplinary media practice enjoys a very good reputation for advising French and international feature and television films on the production and financing of audiovisual content. Handling contract negotiations for production companies, the firm also negotiates loan-out agreements and escrow agreements for high-profile actors. The firm also advises start-ups, for example the first online SVoD cinema platform whom it assisted with the legal aspects of its launch. Claire Saint-Laurent-Mantoux has particular expertise in copyright law. On the contentious side, Benoît Goulesque-Monaux handles disputes for clients in the audiovisual space. With extensive experience in international film financing, Christian Valsamidis is considered a specialist in international co-production and distribution.
Practice head(s):
Christian Valsamidis; Claire Saint-Laurent-Mantoux ; Benoît Goulesque-Monaux
Key clients
MANDARIN
REWORLD MEDIA
ENDEMOL
FOX CHANNELS
BANIJAY/ZODIAK MEDIA
GLOBAL MEDIA
SPOTIFY
MAGIC PRODUCTION
HARI GROUP
UBISOFT
DTMV & Associés
Specialising in intellectual property, DTMV & Associés is known for its expertise in litigation and copyright law related to film production, acting for some of the most important French and international film studios. Eléonore Gaspar handles IP disputes and non-contentious matters such as clearance, agreements and customs. Julien Grosslerner‘s 15 years of in-house experience at NBCUniversal makes him an asset to the team.
Practice head(s):
Seattle Avocats
Seattle Avocats' practice is led by François Ronget, who has a deep insight into the cinema industry due to his in-house experience in a production company, in particular in film financing. The team frequently assists authors with audiovisual adaptation contracts, namely advising Amadou Mariko and Isabelle Sarfati in this respect, but also demonstrates strength in contentious matters.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
BIG NOZE
AMADOU MARIKO
ISABELLE SARFATI
ANGELIN N’BANJUI
SAMI TIGHARGHAR
BERBERE TV
GONK STUDIO
FAVOLA FILMS
GHWA PRODUCTIONS
THE MEDIA COMPANY
PRET A TOURNER
15 PRODUCTION
WONDERSTUDIOS
Spring Legal
Founded in 2017, Spring Legal is retained by clients in the entertainment business for its dual competence in litigation and advisory matters. With 30 years of experience practicing entertainment law, founder Karine Riahi is solicited for her expertise in the area by a diverse range of stakeholders in the industry such as artists, studios, film production companies, and banking and financing institutions. Julien Brunet has a postgraduate degree in entertainment law from a US university, making him a very good choice for cross-border matters involving the US.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Spring Legal is a very responsive firm with perfect knowledge of intellectual property and the audiovisual and film industry.’
‘Spring Legal is extremely adaptable and creative.’
‘The individuals within the firm complement each other. The firm is multidisciplinary and adapts perfectly to our needs.’
‘There are very few law firms specialised in our field. Spring Legal is the only one to combine all the skills that we need.’
‘Spring Legal is much more than a simple law firm, it is a very reactive team with a great knowledge of the media microcosm.’
‘With a business approach, it is a relationship that goes beyond the simple legal service. They are essential assets that accompany us in the development of our companies which creates long-term relationships.’
‘From the client’s point of view, it is appreciable to have partners who are involved. Each of them has a keen sense of guidance, humanity, and a global vision of the processes.’
‘Each individual, especially Karine Riahi, is very loyal, and works hard to get the best result for their clients. The team is very professional.’
Key clients
COMME DES CINEMAS
CHIPANGU
MGM
MAC GUFF
SMALL STUDIO
STUDIO LA CACHETTE
PRESSMAN FILM
MAYBE MOVIES
LES FILMS DU LEZARD
IKKI FILMS
MONDO TV
ALLO HOUSTON
PAR TAK
FAB LAB CHANNEL
NAIA PRODUCTIONS
SOLIDANIM/ AUTRE HISTOIRE
BONNE PIOCHE
Work highlights
- Assisting Pressman Films with the international co-production for the development and production of ‘Catch & Kill’, a Brian de Palma long-feature film.
- Representing Cofiloirsirs, a lending institution specialised in the film industry, in legal proceedings.
- Advised Studio La Cachette on its negotiation with Netflix US for the production of an animated TV series.