Overview
Although New Mexico's history with the firm industry is long and deep, the relatively recent surge of major syndicated films and smaller independent film projects in our state has been unprecedented, and it has spawned a vibrant plethora of film industry participants that operate both in New Mexico and elsewhere. Our film lawyers serve such clients of all varieties in the legal challenges faced in New Mexico and in other jurisdictions. Because Modrall Sperling is one of our State's biggest and most diverse law firms, the lawyers in our film group have access to a "deep bench" of legal talent with extensive expertise in all aspects of civil law, including employment and workers' compensation issues, dealings with Native American tribes and pueblos, property transactions, lending agreements, intellectual property, alternative dispute resolution techniques, and litigation in state, federal and tribal courts.
Attorneys
Experience
Our film lawyers assist film production companies with entity choice and formation (usually a limited liability company), and with preparation of business plans and private placement memoranda. We provide strategic advice and counseling on fund-raising alternatives, film production tax credits, New Mexico gross receipts taxes and other tax issues, and intellectual property issues.
In addition, our lawyers have experience in negotiating and drafting option agreements, crew deal memoranda, distribution agreements, licenses, independent contractor agreements, co-production agreements, sales agent and producer agent agreements, releases, and other contracts that form the legal spine necessary for producing a film. We also provide review and advice concerning guild and union agreements. In addition to film production companies, our lawyers have represented several other participants in the film industry including talent agencies, post-production providers, and other vendors.