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Anne S. Atkinson

Anne Atkinson joined the firm in December 2007 as part of the Entertainment, Media and Communications Group. Anne’s practice focuses on film finance and production. She has represented a wide variety of clients from major studios to high-profile independent producers and production companies, as well as individual writers, directors and producers. Recent transactions include:

• Drafting and negotiating multiple agreements on behalf of a major U.S. motion picture studio with a prolific producer relating to the first motion picture to be produced and distributed pursuant to a complex multi-picture film financing transaction
• Negotiating a motion picture co-financing agreement with an investor group on behalf of the film division of a major record label
• Representing an independent motion picture production company in its negotiations to option material, engage a director, and establish the financing of a motion picture
• On behalf of an independent producer, negotiating an agreement with a production company for the development and production of an animated series for release on television and home video
• Representing a writer-director in negotiations with major motion picture studios on numerous projects.

Prior to joining the firm, Anne served as head of the Legal & Business Affairs department of A&E Television Networks, the owner and operator of major U.S. and international cable channels. In that capacity, Anne negotiated and supervised:

• Dramatic, documentary, and reality programming development and production agreements with major, independent and international suppliers
• Transactions to establish and operate international networks (both joint ventures and licenses)
• Advertising and promotion agreements
• Agreements to license programming in new and traditional media

Anne was also responsible for the management of the company’s trademarks, copyrights, and programming assets; as well as a variety of non-entertainment matters, including technology transactions for its websites, production, uplink, and computer facilities and systems. 

Prior to her time at A&E Television Networks, Anne had extensive experience in international film and television finance, co-production, related talent and underlying rights agreements, distribution agreements in multiple media, and film and television industry regulatory matters.

Anne is 1971 graduate of New York University School of Law. From 1968-70, she attended Tulane University School of Law, where she was on the Board of Student Editors of the Tulane Law Review. Anne received her undergraduate degree in 1968 from Newcomb College, Tulane University, where she was a member of the Tulane University Scholars and Fellows.

Previous Positions

• A&E Television Networks:  Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs (2006); Senior Vice President and General Counsel (2003-05); Vice President and General Counsel (1996-2003)
• Werbel McMillin & Carnelutti:  Partner (1994-95); Of Counsel (1992-94)
• Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.:  Consultant (1991-92); Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, Senior Counsel (1979-91)
• Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson:  Associate (1971-79)

Professional Affiliations

• New York State Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section, Executive Committee (2006- present)
• Copyright Society of the United States of America, Website Committee, Co-Chair (2004-06), By-Laws Committee, Co-Chair (2006), Trustee and Member of Executive Committee (2002-04)