Print

Email this page

Vcard

Attorneys  

Anne S. Atkinson

Anne Atkinson is Of Counsel in the Entertainment, Media and Communications Group. Anne’s practice focuses on film and television 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 major U.S. motion picture studio with prolific producer relating to first motion pictures to be produced and distributed pursuant to complex multi-picture film financing transaction
• Negotiating motion picture co-financing agreement with investor group on behalf of film division of major record label
• Representing numerous independent motion picture production companies in their negotiations to option material, engage writers and directors, and finance and distribute motion pictures
• Representing writers and directors in negotiations with major motion picture studios on numerous motion picture and television projects
• Representing major international television producer and distributor in co-financing (with major U.S. studio) and international production of U.S. television series and in an agreement with major international producer and distributor of reality formats in co-production of reality programing
• Representing family of author of extensive and well-known series of children’s books (in concert with licensee of trademarks and certain other rights) in option to major motion picture company to produce motion picture based on the books
• Representing independent motion picture distributor in agreements to finance and produce motion pictures and to distribute or act as a sales agent in domestic and international territories
• Representing producers of documentary in connection with financing and worldwide distribution
• Representing producers and talent of various reality television projects
• On behalf of an independent producer, negotiating agreement with production company for development and production of animated series for release on television and home video  

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)