Laura I.

Experience

• 

  CJ 4DPLEX

  Vice President, Corporate Counsel

  Jun 2025 - Present

• SP Media Group

  Counsel/Consultant

  Jan 2025 - Present

  SP Media Group operates in the acquisition and distribution of media content, particularly in motion pictures.

  • Drafted and negotiated acquisition and distribution agreements for streaming content.
  • Provided legal counsel on media, business, and privacy law issues, including litigation.
  • Advised and represented private clients in the entertainment industry for contracts with major platforms like Netflix.
• 

  CJ 4DPLEX

  Vice President, Corporate Counsel (Startup)

  Jan 2025 - Jan 2025

  CJ 4DPLEX is a pioneering entertainment company specializing in immersive cinema experiences through formats like 4DX and ScreenX.

• SP Releasing

  Counsel/Consultant

  Jan 2025 - Dec 2025

  SP Releasing is involved in film distribution and related services.

• 

  MGA Entertainment

  Outside Counsel

  Jan 2021 - Jun 2022

  • Drafted and negotiated numerous legal agreements for this entertainment and toy company and its brands, including Bratz and LOL! Surprise, ensuring compliance and approving marketing and social media strategies.
  • Negotiated and drafted contracts for talent, writers, production, distribution, and animation, including music, event/tour and director agreements, as well as sales/marketing initiatives.
  • Developed licenses for merchandise, software, and co-branding, contributing to successful sales and marketing campaigns.
• 

  Warner Bros. Pictures

  Senior Counsel/Consultant

  Jan 2021 - Jan 2022

  • Freelance consultant:
  • Drafted, negotiated, and reviewed agreements and templates for theatrical and home entertainment marketing and distribution group at Warner Bros. Pictures.
  • Managed influencer agreements, sponsorships, social media campaigns, and events.
  • Cleared Elvis footage and entered into location, events and sponsorship agreements for various purposes; also collaborated with brands and digital media.
  • Also worked previously with Games group.
• 

  Paramount Pictures

  VP, Business and Legal Affairs - ViacomCBS (Nick)

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2021

  • Negotiated scripted and unscripted deals for live action and animation, including agreements for writers, creators, and talent, and overall/360 agreements. Guild and union experience.
  • Drafted complex licensing, development and rights agreements for productions, including literary options, and collaborations.
  • Focused on Nickelodeon scripted content, promotions, and music shows for TV and streaming platforms as well as some Awesomeness projects. Drafted numerous writer, talent, test option and option and purchase agreements.
• 

  GRB Studios

  Sole In-House Counsel (titles: SVP Business Affairs and VP of Legal)

  Dec 2016 - Jan 2024

  • (Full-time Dec 2016-2017; part-time late 2021- on)
  • Sole counsel handling legal and business affairs for TV and digital platforms, including development, talent, WGA writer, production, distribution, licensing, and syndication agreements . Work included SaaS contracts with Medialogiq and Frequency for Samsung/Roku and launch of FAST channels; deals in all media including SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD.
  • Drafted employment and consulting contracts. Managed claims, litigation, demand letters, and cease and desists as well as agreements for international distribution and content acquisition.
  • Partnered with networks like MTV, A&E, and Discovery for projects like Intervention and Untold Stories of the ER.

• GRB Media Ranch

  VP of Legal; VP/SVP Business Affairs

  Dec 2016 - Dec 2024

  • (Full-time Dec 2016-2017; part-time late 2021- on)
  • Head of legal and business affairs for TV and digital platforms, handling development, talent, WGA writer, production, distribution, licensing, and syndication agreements . Work included SaaS contracts with Medialogiq and Frequency for Samsung/Roku and launch of FAST channels; deals in all media including SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD.
  • Managed claims, litigation, demand letters, and cease and desists as well as agreements for international distribution and content acquisition.
  • Partnered with networks like MTV, A&E, and Discovery for projects like Intervention and Untold Stories of the ER.
• 

  Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

  Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs (PBTV/PB Plus)

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2017

  • Led a team of 6 colleagues in managing business and legal affairs for television network, radio, digital, and publishing content, overseeing legal for production and distribution.
  • Drafted and negotiated various agreements including development, production, distribution, talent, and writer contracts.
  • Negotiated ASCAP, BMI, and PRS licenses, and assisted with due diligence and M&A activities.

• Playboy Enterprises (PBTV LLC and PB Plus)

  Vice President Business

  Jan 2015 - Dec 2017

  Playboy Enterprises (PBTV LLC and PB Plus) operates in the media and entertainment industry, focusing on publishing, broadcasting, and brand licensing.

• Playboy Enterprises (PBTV LLC and PB Plus)

  Vice President Business and Legal Affairs

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2017

  • Managed M&A due diligence and asset purchases for PBTV sales and joint ventures.
  • Directed legal team across international and domestic markets on a variety of media-related transactions.
  • Drafted and negotiated contracts involving talent, production services, and multimedia rights, including partnerships and sponsorships.

• Private Practice

  Counsel/Consultant

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2021

  • Drafted and negotiated various agreements including rights, tech, writer, commercial, option, music, talent, EP, and producer agreements for television/streaming and feature films. Included stint with FKKS. Also worked on sports programming for Mandalay and Exile.
  • Handled international overflow as Meta (Facebook) attorney, managing takedowns and Community Standards issues.
  • Managed SaaS, tech licenses, privacy, vendor agreements, and general commercial matters as flex attorney with Fenwick & West and Axiom for clients like Google, Scopely, Zest AI and Epic Games.

• Law Firms (incl Davis Wright Tremaine)

  Of Counsel

  Apr 2012 - Jun 2015

  • Provided part-time legal services for clients in the development, production, advertising, and tech industries.
  • Collaborated with top law firms and media companies like Magical Elves, Gallo Winery, Mandalay Sports Media and NBC/Keshet.
  • Managed contracts for various clients while simultaneously working on projects for ABC/Disney.
• 

  The Walt Disney Company

  Associate Principal Counsel/Contract Counsel (casual limited) alongside DWT

  Mar 2012 - May 2014

  • Drafted and negotiated scripted network projects, including agreements with writers, producers, and directors for The Walt Disney Company.
  • Seconded as an Associate Principal Counsel for ABC summer replacement series, working on projects like "Duets" with Kelly Clarkson and John Legend.
  • Served as production, network, internet, and standards and practices counsel, specializing in internet and music law.
• 

  Fremantle

  Senior Counsel

  Mar 2010 - Apr 2011

  • Sole in-house counsel for the Original Productions subsidiary. Drafted and negotiated agreements with networks, talent, writers, and producers for programming at Original Productions.
  • Handled in-house legal work including litigation, employment, and finance issues.
  • Reviewed episodes; created production release packages and handled all legal issues in the successful production of shows for Discovery, A&E/History, Turner, Spike/MTV, NBC, and other networks.
  • Was also a Director, Business Affairs in London handling scripted programming.

• Warner Bros. (WarnerBros Discovery)

  Senior Counsel/Consultant

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2022

  Warner Bros. (WarnerBros Discovery) is a leading entertainment company involved in motion picture production, television programming, and distribution worldwide.

  • Collaborated with consumer products team on campaign for confectionary and co-promotions.
  • Provided legal services for marketing promotions of major films like Elvis and Pets, including drafting new templates.
  • Negotiated the Mentalist videogame licensing agreement and handled complex commercial tech contracts.
• 

  Yahoo!

  Attorney

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2010
• 

  Yahoo!

  Attorney and Director of Business Development

  Jan 2007 - Mar 2010

  • Provided legal counsel for various industry segments and sites including Sports, News, Games, Finance, and Real Estate at Yahoo!
  • Negotiated music licenses and talent and label releases for original programming like "Nissan Live Sets" with renowned bands.
  • Facilitated deals with major companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Fox for content licensing and distribution.
  • Managed advertising insertion agreements and marketing joint ventures to drive revenue growth.
  • advised on compliance such as FTC, COPPA, privacy issues and CAN SPAM.
  • provided legal oversight for assigned sites and products.
• 

  MySpace

  Compliance Manager and Corporate In-House Counsel

  Jan 2003 - Mar 2004

  • Drafted technology and license agreements, advised on FTC compliance issues, and researched CAN SPAM regulations for MySpace.
  • Handled music licenses (BMI, ASCAP) and managed all production and regular corporate work for related websites.
  • oversaw advertising, product and website compliance work
• 

  National Geographic Society

  Associate General Counsel, National Geographic Society

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  • Negotiated co-productions and joint ventures for National Geographic Channels with Fox, leading to successful international launches.
  • Handled all legal aspects of production legal and business affairs for the new channels, including digital multiplex agreements and distribution windowing.
  • Managed trademark, branding, copyright, and other rights for magazine and book work at National Geographic Society.

• Shearman & Sterling LLP

  Corporate Associate (international) and Litigation Associate (also for Clifford Chance)

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1998

  Allen & Overy (now A&O Shearman) is a prominent global law firm providing legal services across a variety of practice areas.