2025 Harvard Entertainment Law Symposium

This past week, the Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law (JSEL) and the Committee on Sports and Entertainment Law (CSEL) hosted the 2025 Harvard Entertainment Law Symposium. This Symposium took place from Tuesday, April 1 to Thursday, April 3, and comprised of a series of events about the legal disputes shaping today’s entertainment industry told through some of its most influential lawyers. Read our coverage of the symposium’s notable events and speakers from JSEL’s Hugh Reynolds, Gurty Johal, and Ahan Dhar. 

On Tuesday, the Symposium began with Journalists v. Hollywood: Legal Battles in the Entertainment Industry, a panel moderated by David McCraw, SVP and deputy general counsel at the New York Times, Kim Masters, editor-at-large of the Hollywood Reporter and host of KCRW’s The Business, and Stacy Perman, an investigative reporter covering at the Los Angeles Times.

McCraw led a lively discussion about how reporters covering the entertainment industry navigate sensitive legal stories. The panel opened with thoughts about the ongoing Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni lawsuits, and why this dispute has captured the public imagination. Aside from the major star power of the parties, these cases stand out for the exceptional level of access it has granted to the public. The panelists described how this lawsuit offers a rare glimpse into a contentious process normally conducted behind closed doors.

The discussion then turned toward the challenges journalists face in breaking certain stories. In particular, the panelists discussed how the #MeToo movement represented a watershed moment in the industry; until this point, media organizations largely feared the legal backlash stemming from publishing sexual misconduct allegations. Defamation suits and multi-million-dollar settlement demands were used to pressure media organizations to refrain from publishing stories alleging personal or professional misconduct—even when the allegations were credible and well documented.

McCraw closed the event by asking how lawyers can best serve journalists. Perman recommended that every media lawyer take a journalism course and learn how to balance legal risk against the public’s right to learn important information. Masters said that her favorite lawyers work with her to craft her message in a way that was both true-to-form, and safe: “A good lawyer will tell you how to say what you want to say in a way that will protect you.”

Wednesday’s topic was The Present and Future of the Entertainment Industry with Douglas Baldridge, a current Partner at Venable LLP who had most recently served as outside and in-house counsel to Taylor Swift.

Baldridge began his career at a large law firm before transitioning in-house. His first high-profile entertainment client was Tiger Woods, for whom he obtained an injunction stopping the use of Woods’ image at a large event in Florida. From there, he developed his practice, working on various matters and gaining experience over time.

When asked about the balance between advocating for his clients while protecting their reputation, he discussed the immense importance of always being honest. The client is the brand, and the goals of each are one and the same. Lawyers must always remember to put the client first and speak in the client’s best interest. 

Additionally, Baldridge weighed in on the role of the media and PR teams. He noted that due to the nature of public perception, “no one wins.” That is, oftentimes, it does not matter if one lawyer has the better case or has established the proper legal standard, as the media uses its own strategies to create a specific understanding of the clients involved.

Baldridge also talked about how AI is changing the entertainment landscape, especially with the rise of “deepfake” media. Due to profits getting thinner and the millions it costs to pay artists to make music, the industry will become highly competitive over time, unless Congress steps in and places limits. However, he did contend that certain matters are right of publicity issues such that if AI is generating a well-known artist’s likeness, it can and should be shut down.

Baldridge ended by providing valuable advice and insights for students to consider. His primary piece of advice was: “Do three things everyday.” That is, call three people you knew from high school or college, write three articles, or read three articles. He said, “You never know who will become the next CEO of a major entertainment company,” noting to “stay with it, it’s a grind.”

On Thursday, Matthew Rosengart joined JSEL and CSEL to speak in the event titled High Stakes Entertainment Litigation. In his career, Rosengart has represented multiple public figures in high-stakes and high-profile litigation, including Britney Spears in her successful effort to end her infamous conservatorship.

Rosengart began speaking about his background as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), and how his work as a federal prosecutor provided him with the trial experience to succeed as an entertainment litigator. He then discussed the importance of being a generalist when working in entertainment litigation, which involves a range of legal disputes but hinges on a core set of skills. Being an AUSA provided him with confidence on how to conduct himself in court no matter what he was litigating, and this came in handy during his efforts to end Britney Spears’ conservatorship even though he had little prior experience with probate or conservatorship law.

The influence of the media on high-stakes and high-profile litigation was a core theme of this discussion. Rosengart emphasized the importance of being conscious of public scrutiny and social media with heavily publicized matters. While litigators already shape the narrative for the judge and jury, they now do the same for public opinion and the media. Staying aware of the media and having a good relationship with them is consequently a crucial duty for litigators.

Rosengart also shed light on the importance of comporting oneself professionally and honestly as an entertainment litigator—to strengthen both the client’s case and the relationship with the client, especially under such intense scrutiny. At the same time, he highlighted the significance of prioritizing the client over any personal desire to get one’s own name out in the industry. 

Lastly, Rosengart spoke about the key to building a client base and distinguishing himself as a lawyer, once again focusing on the importance of credibility and decency to build a reputation without neglecting the care and passion necessary to deal with such high-stakes and high-profile matters.

On Thursday evening, JSEL and CSEL wrapped up the symposium with the Talent Law Panel, followed by a Networking Reception. The panel featured David Matlof, Jamie Feldman, Jeff Bernstein, and Patrick Ragen—some of the top legal talent in the entertainment industry. David Matlof is a founding partner at Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman LLP, Jamie Feldman is a partner at Lichter Grossman, Jeff Bernstein is a partner at Jackoway Austen, and Patrick Ragen is a partner at Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP. They all represent high-profile actors, directors, and producers and have worked with some of the most influential creatives.

The panelists shared how they broke into the industry, reflected on highlights from their practices, and offered guidance on how to develop and maintain clientele. After the panel, students had the opportunity to connect with the speakers directly and received helpful advice on starting their own careers.

JSEL and CSEL would like to thank everyone across the two organizations, the speakers, our faculty advisor Professor Peter Carfagna, and everyone involved for a successful symposium. See you next year!