James A. Janowitz
- Additional Crew
- Executive
- Producer
As co-chair of Pryor Cashman's Media + Entertainment group and a senior partner in the Litigation Group, Jim has helped the firm build one of the most comprehensive entertainment practices in the country. He represents some of the industry's most celebrated artists as well as influential producers, film studios, television studios, networks, and investors.
Jim belongs to a select group of attorneys in the U.S. who deliver a combination of transactional and complex litigation representation. His cross-disciplinary strength includes litigations such as the landmark copyright infringement action against George Harrison over "My Sweet Lord" as well as numerous complex financings in the film and television area. He counsels film, television, theater, music, and digital media producers as well as banks and other lenders investing in entertainment endeavors.
As a key member of the Art Law practice, Jim successfully tried a highly publicized case involving claims of Nazi theft of an Egon Schiele work and successfully prosecuted a claim against the Knoedler Gallery as a result of a historic fraud involving the sale of millions of dollars of fake modern masters. Jim also advises clients in connection with the sale, purchase, and lending of artworks. Music Industry Practice
Jim has been at the forefront of the music industry since his successful trial in the "My Sweet Lord" case. Recently, he has had a key or leading role in the following matters:
Representing the NMPA (Music Publishers) in the Phono Records III CRB Proceedings to determine rates and terms for the compulsory license of music for interactive streaming. As a result of the trial in this matter, the royalties paid to publishers by the streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon, and Apply will increase significantly. Leading important and innovative transactions for the sale of music assets including publishing rights and master recordings. Jim is regularly approached by investors, including private equity funds, to handle acquisitions of music rights. Representing Shamrock Capital Advisors, LLC in its acquisition of the music publishing catalog of Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen which includes such songs as Katy Perry's "Firework," Rihanna's "Diamonds" and Rude Boy" and Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable". Representing Courtney Love in the successful resolution of claims involving trusts under the Kurt Cobain estate.
Advancing Major Film + Television Deals
Leading collaborative teams assembled from the firm's corporate, banking and finance practices, Jim arranges financing and production deals for motion picture producers and lenders as well as television studios and broadcasters. He negotiates complex capital arrangements and international deals that involve senior and subordinated debt as well as equity. Jim has been retained by investors, including hedge funds and insurance companies, to represent them in financing specialty lenders in film and television including establishing underwriting criteria. In his Mergers and Acquisitions practice, Jim recently closed the acquisition by First Look Media of the SVOD Service "PassionFlix" founded by Tosca Musk.
Jim's transactional practice encompasses:
Production and financing of independent films New film distribution launches Television network production and financing Mergers and acquisitions Studio output and joint venture deals Structured finance of film slates Film library acquisitions and asset collateralizations Print and advertising fund deals Governmental tax subsidies, incentives, and monetizations
In addition, Jim negotiates employment agreements and structures benefits for senior studio and film company executives. Taking the Lead in Complex Litigation
Widely recognized for his skill in complex commercial disputes, Jim represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums. In the entertainment arena, his recent successes include:
Acting in a key role for Music Publishers (NMPA) in the rate-setting proceeding for interactive streaming royalties (Phono Records III CRB Proceedings). Successfully representing the Martin Hilti Family Trust against the Knoedler Gallery in one of the largest art frauds in history (The Martin Hilti Family Trust (Plaintiff) vs Knoedler Gallery, LLC d/b/a Knoedler & Company, et al (Defendant)). Obtaining a unanimous decision on appeal to the First Department reversing the lower court's decision on the res judicata effect of failing to raise a compulsory counterclaim in a prior Federal case. The decision on behalf of investors was in Paramount Pictures vs Allianz Risk Transfer et al. Defending Sylvester Stallone, Lions Gate Films, and Nu Image/Millennium Films in a copyright infringement case concerning "The Expendables" Defending Fox Broadcasting, Dick Clark Productions, Inc., and 19 Entertainment against a claim that they stole the title and idea for the hit show "So You Think You Can Dance" from plaintiffs Representing an investor in litigation concerning ownership of the motion picture rights to the famous novel "The White Tiger"
Businesses and individuals from other sectors also seek Jim's experienced counsel in class actions, RICO cases, product liability, and art provenance disputes. InBakalar v. Vavra, he obtained a victory after trial establishing a client's ownership of a valuable Egon Schiele painting. Giving Back
Jim serves as co-chairman of the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), one of the nation's oldest and largest not-for-profit advocacy organizations dedicated to independent film. Through his work with the organization, he helped establish the Made in NY Media Center by IFP in Brooklyn's D.U.M.B.O., a 20,000-square-foot creative space that supports media and film development in New York City. Education
New York University School of Law (J.D., 1971) Haverford College (B.A., 1967)
Recognition
Named as one of New York's Top 20 Entertainment Lawyers in The Hollywood Reporter (2020) Named a leading attorney in Entertainment: Motion Pictures + Television by Best Lawyers of America (2010-2022) Named one of the top media + entertainment lawyers by The Legal 500 US (2017-2021) Named to the Super Lawyers -New York Metro list in entertainment law (2007-2021); "Top 100" list (2011) Recognized by Chambers USA as one of the top attorneys in media + entertainment (film and television) (2009-2016) Named one of the "100 Most Influential Attorneys in Entertainment" by The Hollywood Reporter (2007-2009; 2011-2012)
Community
Co-Chairman, Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP)
Admissions
New York, 1972
Professional Affiliations
New York State Bar Association New York City Bar Association
Languages
German
Academic Achievements
Jim is a 1971 graduate of New York University School of Law, where he was an Editor for the Journal of International Law and Politics.
Jim belongs to a select group of attorneys in the U.S. who deliver a combination of transactional and complex litigation representation. His cross-disciplinary strength includes litigations such as the landmark copyright infringement action against George Harrison over "My Sweet Lord" as well as numerous complex financings in the film and television area. He counsels film, television, theater, music, and digital media producers as well as banks and other lenders investing in entertainment endeavors.
As a key member of the Art Law practice, Jim successfully tried a highly publicized case involving claims of Nazi theft of an Egon Schiele work and successfully prosecuted a claim against the Knoedler Gallery as a result of a historic fraud involving the sale of millions of dollars of fake modern masters. Jim also advises clients in connection with the sale, purchase, and lending of artworks. Music Industry Practice
Jim has been at the forefront of the music industry since his successful trial in the "My Sweet Lord" case. Recently, he has had a key or leading role in the following matters:
Representing the NMPA (Music Publishers) in the Phono Records III CRB Proceedings to determine rates and terms for the compulsory license of music for interactive streaming. As a result of the trial in this matter, the royalties paid to publishers by the streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon, and Apply will increase significantly. Leading important and innovative transactions for the sale of music assets including publishing rights and master recordings. Jim is regularly approached by investors, including private equity funds, to handle acquisitions of music rights. Representing Shamrock Capital Advisors, LLC in its acquisition of the music publishing catalog of Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen which includes such songs as Katy Perry's "Firework," Rihanna's "Diamonds" and Rude Boy" and Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable". Representing Courtney Love in the successful resolution of claims involving trusts under the Kurt Cobain estate.
Advancing Major Film + Television Deals
Leading collaborative teams assembled from the firm's corporate, banking and finance practices, Jim arranges financing and production deals for motion picture producers and lenders as well as television studios and broadcasters. He negotiates complex capital arrangements and international deals that involve senior and subordinated debt as well as equity. Jim has been retained by investors, including hedge funds and insurance companies, to represent them in financing specialty lenders in film and television including establishing underwriting criteria. In his Mergers and Acquisitions practice, Jim recently closed the acquisition by First Look Media of the SVOD Service "PassionFlix" founded by Tosca Musk.
Jim's transactional practice encompasses:
Production and financing of independent films New film distribution launches Television network production and financing Mergers and acquisitions Studio output and joint venture deals Structured finance of film slates Film library acquisitions and asset collateralizations Print and advertising fund deals Governmental tax subsidies, incentives, and monetizations
In addition, Jim negotiates employment agreements and structures benefits for senior studio and film company executives. Taking the Lead in Complex Litigation
Widely recognized for his skill in complex commercial disputes, Jim represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums. In the entertainment arena, his recent successes include:
Acting in a key role for Music Publishers (NMPA) in the rate-setting proceeding for interactive streaming royalties (Phono Records III CRB Proceedings). Successfully representing the Martin Hilti Family Trust against the Knoedler Gallery in one of the largest art frauds in history (The Martin Hilti Family Trust (Plaintiff) vs Knoedler Gallery, LLC d/b/a Knoedler & Company, et al (Defendant)). Obtaining a unanimous decision on appeal to the First Department reversing the lower court's decision on the res judicata effect of failing to raise a compulsory counterclaim in a prior Federal case. The decision on behalf of investors was in Paramount Pictures vs Allianz Risk Transfer et al. Defending Sylvester Stallone, Lions Gate Films, and Nu Image/Millennium Films in a copyright infringement case concerning "The Expendables" Defending Fox Broadcasting, Dick Clark Productions, Inc., and 19 Entertainment against a claim that they stole the title and idea for the hit show "So You Think You Can Dance" from plaintiffs Representing an investor in litigation concerning ownership of the motion picture rights to the famous novel "The White Tiger"
Businesses and individuals from other sectors also seek Jim's experienced counsel in class actions, RICO cases, product liability, and art provenance disputes. InBakalar v. Vavra, he obtained a victory after trial establishing a client's ownership of a valuable Egon Schiele painting. Giving Back
Jim serves as co-chairman of the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), one of the nation's oldest and largest not-for-profit advocacy organizations dedicated to independent film. Through his work with the organization, he helped establish the Made in NY Media Center by IFP in Brooklyn's D.U.M.B.O., a 20,000-square-foot creative space that supports media and film development in New York City. Education
New York University School of Law (J.D., 1971) Haverford College (B.A., 1967)
Recognition
Named as one of New York's Top 20 Entertainment Lawyers in The Hollywood Reporter (2020) Named a leading attorney in Entertainment: Motion Pictures + Television by Best Lawyers of America (2010-2022) Named one of the top media + entertainment lawyers by The Legal 500 US (2017-2021) Named to the Super Lawyers -New York Metro list in entertainment law (2007-2021); "Top 100" list (2011) Recognized by Chambers USA as one of the top attorneys in media + entertainment (film and television) (2009-2016) Named one of the "100 Most Influential Attorneys in Entertainment" by The Hollywood Reporter (2007-2009; 2011-2012)
Community
Co-Chairman, Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP)
Admissions
New York, 1972
Professional Affiliations
New York State Bar Association New York City Bar Association
Languages
German
Academic Achievements
Jim is a 1971 graduate of New York University School of Law, where he was an Editor for the Journal of International Law and Politics.
