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Bob Wise, Principal

Film, television, and other media transactions

I advise producers, production companies, distributors, and other media businesses on a wide range of projects and agreements, with particular depth in documentary, reality, and other unscripted formats. I also represent creative talent and senior media executives.

Clients work directly with me on deal structure, negotiation, and contract drafting.

Contact Bob

My background includes:

  • Partnership at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp
  • Partnership at Loeb & Loeb
  • Senior executive leadership at Discovery Communications

How I Can Help

Film, television, and other media projects

I negotiate rights acquisition, development, production, co-production, financing, licensing, and distribution agreements for scripted and unscripted projects. I also provide production legal services.

Talent and media executives

I represent writers, directors, producers, actors, and other creative talent in negotiating agreements for film, television, and other media projects.

I also represent senior programming executives in negotiating employment and separation agreements with networks, production companies, and other media businesses.

Media company transactions and partnerships

I serve as entertainment counsel in acquisitions and sales of media businesses, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, working with corporate and tax counsel where appropriate.

My experience includes serving as lead entertainment counsel in the sale of television production companies and the acquisition of a major archival image library and licensing business.

At Discovery Communications, I led the implementation of its strategic partnership with BBC Worldwide under which Discovery invested over $500 million in the production of television programming and the launch and operation of television channels in the United States and internationally.

Selected experience*

These examples span my work in private practice and in executive roles at Discovery Communications.

Production & Work Work
Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas (ABC television special)
Negotiated the production and distribution agreement, and the Kevin Costner agreement, for Warm Springs Productions. Provided production legal services.
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test (Fox reality competition series)
Negotiated the format license, production services and distribution agreement, and numerous cast agreements, for Minnow Films. Provided production legal services.
The FBI Files and The New Detectives (Discovery Channel true crime and docudrama television series)

Negotiated multiple licenses to streaming services for New Dominion Pictures.
Deadliest Catch (Numerous Primetime Emmy Awards)

Negotiated the production agreement and key talent agreements for Original Productions and provided production legal services.
March of the Penguins (Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature)

Negotiated the co-production agreement for National Geographic Feature Films.
Born Into Brothels (Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature)

Negotiated the premium cable license agreement for Red Light Films.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

Negotiated the Japanese theatrical distribution agreement for Toho-Towa Company.

* References to clients, companies, and productions do not imply endorsement of me or this firm.

Working with me

A Strategic Approach

I start by understanding my client’s priorities and the business context. From there, I help structure the transaction, identify the terms that deserve close attention, explain the practical tradeoffs, and negotiate and draft accordingly.

Business and Legal Perspective

My experience in private practice and television management informs how I approach both the commercial decisions and the legal terms.

Focused and Efficient

I aim to keep negotiations moving and the scope of the legal work proportionate to the value and complexity of the transaction.

A global perspective

I have worked on entertainment and media projects in key markets around the world.

  • Rome
  • Paris
  • Tokyo
  • London

About me

I have practiced transactional entertainment law since 1984, in Los Angeles and the Washington, DC area.

I began my career at a major entertainment law firm, working on transactions for studios, production companies, distributors, filmmakers, and creative talent.

Education

  • Stanford Law School — J.D.
  • University of Cambridge, Magdalene College — B.A. (Hons)
  • University of Michigan — B.S. in Engineering (Computer Engineering), summa cum laude

Bar admissions

  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland

Contact me

If you have a project or agreement to discuss, or would like to refer a potential client, I would be happy to hear from you.

Please do not include confidential information or documents. Sending an inquiry does not establish an attorney-client relationship.