The following is an excerpt from Practice Perspectives: Vault's Guide to Legal Practice Areas.
Ramela Ohanian represents studios, media companies, tech companies, producers, streamers, podcast companies, and networks on a variety of transactional matters related to television (scripted and unscripted), digital media, short-form content, podcasts, and films (theatrical, subscription video on demand, etc.). Her eight-year practice focuses on the development and production of projects in the United States and international projects, including the handling of major first-look and overall agreements, rights acquisitions, and talent agreements. Ramela regularly advises clients on emerging technologies and platforms and on the latest developments in the entertainment landscape.
Describe your practice area and what it entails.
I provide ongoing counseling to producers and various types of entities on entertainment transactional matters including in areas such as digital media, television, film, podcast, and tech. I prepare, negotiate, and manage a variety of documents, including term sheets, contracts, and business proposals.
What types of clients do you represent?
I represent a diverse group of clients, including podcast and tech companies, networks, producers, and studios. Clients range from individual producers to major studios.
What types of cases/deals do you work on?
I work on multiple types of agreements, such as production services agreements and talent agreements including writer, producer, and director agreements. I also work on major first-look and overall agreements with A+-level talent. In addition, I handle influencer marketing agreements and various types of rights agreements, such as option purchase agreements and short-form content acquisition agreements.
How did you choose this practice area?
I’ve always wanted to be an entertainment lawyer. I’m a consumer of the industry’s content—an every day user. And, the idea that you can be part of bringing a project to life—to people’s living rooms, to the big screen on their night out—it’s the ultimate goal for an entertainment attorney. Entertainment was my number one choice for a practice area and the reason why I attended law school.
What is a “typical” day like and/or what are some common tasks you perform?
A typical day involves a mix of client meetings, contract negotiations, and counseling on client business decisions. For certain clients, my role begins during the negotiation of the deal terms or at a project’s inception. For others, I step into the project and prepare the long-form agreement to reflect the parties’ intentions. Every day, I am either directly negotiating or managing the negotiations of various agreements.
What training, classes, experience, or skills development would you recommend to someone who wishes to enter your practice area?
I recommend taking a few Entertainment courses during law school and seeking internship opportunities in order to get hands-on experience either with a media company or an entertainment law firm. In addition, it is important to stay up-to-date with the industry and to stay apprised of the latest press releases and articles. I would recommend reading Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline.
What do you like best about your practice area?
I love the creativity and the evolving nature of the entertainment industry. Every deal is unique and aimed at bringing a story to life, whether it is a series, podcast, film, or other type of media.
What is unique about your practice area at your firm?
Entertainment law in general, but specifically our firm’s practice area, is highly collaborative. Our team is experienced in working closely with creatives, business executives, talent, and with many other roles. In addition, we’re team players, working closely with one another and consistently lending our individual expertise to various matters.
What are some typical tasks that a junior lawyer would perform in this practice area?
Typical tasks that a junior lawyer would perform in this practice area include reviewing, analyzing, and summarizing material points in contracts, conducting legal research, reviewing redlines, and preparing first drafts of contracts.
Media, Entertainment, & Sports can span many areas of law, from constitutional law and contract law to intellectual property, privacy, and more. How do you juggle wearing so many hats?
Our practice group, along with our firm, stays current on industry trends. We anticipate client needs and quickly adapt to the latest developments in the industry. We are experienced in issue-spotting and have broad expertise that can address any matter that arises during a project, delivering high-quality work product along the way.