Partner, Entertainment, Media and Publishing; Advertising, Marketing and Promotions; Intellectual Property
James Johnston is a partner in the Entertainment and Advertising, Marketing and Promotions groups of Davis & Gilbert, LLP. Mr. Johnston represents numerous multinational, national and local media companies, television and motion picture producers, advertising agencies, promotions agencies, and advertisers in connection with all aspects of motion picture, television, entertainment, advertising, promotions, and marketing industries.
Mr. Johnston has considerable experience in all aspects of entertainment, new media and advertising law. In the entertainment and new media fields, he has advised television networks, independent producers, broadcast station groups, motion picture studios, advertising agencies and Internet companies on the development, production and distribution of television programs, motion pictures and other audiovisual content. His work has included the negotiation of acquisition, production and distribution agreements, talent agreements and license agreements, including licenses for Internet and other interactive exploitation, and live event programming, sponsorship and other cross-promotional agreements. His practice also involves motion picture and television rights acquisitions of literary properties, motion picture and video footage library acquisitions, as well as a variety of mergers, acquisitions and other transactions involving the transfer of intellectual property assets.
In the advertising and marketing fields, Mr. Johnston's practice extends from providing advice on the content of advertising copy and direct marketing materials, to providing advice on complex regulatory issues and negotiating complex agreements relating to the advertising, marketing and promotions industry. On behalf of both advertisers and advertising agencies, he is regularly involved in the drafting and negotiating of a wide variety of agreements including agency/client agreements, sponsorship agreements, talent contracts, music licenses, commercial production agreements, and software license agreements.
Mr. Johnston also regularly counsels clients in a variety of fields on issues relating to all aspects of intellectual property, including copyright and rights of privacy and publicity.
Mr. Johnston was formerly an associate in the entertainment department in the New York City office of the Los Angeles law firm of O'Melveny & Myers LLP.
EDUCATION
UCLA School of Law (Order of the Coif) and Anderson School of Management at UCLA, J.D./M.B.A.,1997
University of California at Los Angeles School of Theater, Film and Television, B.A., Magna Cum Laude, 1991
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Member, American Bar Association
Member, New York State Bar Association
CONTACT
212-468-4867
jjohnston@dglaw.com