Business Profile & Attorney Credentials
Attorney Carol Contes advises North American and European clients transacting business in the entertainment industry in North America. She is experienced with the legal and business issues of production and distribution as well as the application of copyright and trademark protection to commercial products exploited around the world. Carol represents producers and distributors of independent live-action and animated films, scripted and documentary television programs and internet content. Transactions routinely reviewed and/or negotiated on behalf of entrepreneurs, independent producers, agencies, vfx companies, composers, writers, directors, producers and digital artists include:
- Literary Option/Purchase Agreements
- Life Story Rights
- Writer, Director and Producer Agreements
- Film and Television Production
(Documentary/Reality/Scripted Fiction) - Merchandise and Licensing Agreements
- Production Service Agreements
- Visual Effects Post-Production Agreements
- Digital Artist Contracts
- Personal Releases and Clearances
- Composer Agreements and Music Licenses
- Content Clearance
- Hollywood Union Agreements
- Chain-of-Title Documents
- Entity Formation for Entertainment Ventures
- Distribution Agreements
Carol is a graduate of the University of Arizona and the James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson, Arizona. She currently lives in Los Angeles. Carol’s early professional experience includes positions at International Creative Management (ICM), ABC Television Network, Paramount Television and Turner Entertainment. Carol has provided business and legal affairs services for the development, production and distribution of films and television programs as well as the merchandising and licensing of ancillary rights. Carol also worked in the game industry for Electronic Arts, Inc., where she negotiated and implemented the first interactive media agreements between the game industry and the two, major Hollywood performers unions. Immediately before establishing a private practice, Carol was the Assistant Executive Director of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and presented lectures on interactive media at conferences sponsored by the American Bar Association, San Francisco Bar Association and the Century City Bar Association. She is a member of the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Arizona. Carol participates in professional activities as a member of the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles County Bar Associations and recently presented a guest lecture to the Arizona State Bar Intellectual Property Section in Phoenix.