Panel 1: Digital Performers and Virtual Creators In Entertainment
- Moderator: Alex De La Rua, NYU Law ’26, JIPEL Symposium Chair
Alex De La Rua is a third-year student at NYU School of Law and the current Symposium Editor of the Journal of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law (JIPEL), where he organizes the journal’s annual symposium and helps convene leading scholars, attorneys, and industry professionals to discuss emerging issues in intellectual property, media, and technology.
Throughout law school, Alex’s research has focused on the emergence of digital creators and performers and the ways in which new forms of online content production are reshaping the entertainment industry and challenging traditional frameworks of intellectual property law.
During law school, Alex has gained practical experience at the intersection of technology, media, and consumer protection. He was a member of NYU Law’s Technology Law and Policy Clinic, where he worked on projects addressing contemporary issues in technology regulation and digital governance. He also served as a legal extern with Sony Music Entertainment’s legal department, gaining exposure to legal matters affecting the music industry. Additionally, Alex worked as a Summer Law Clerk in the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, assisting attorneys with legal research and litigation preparation in federal enforcement actions involving consumer protection, advertising, and privacy law.
Before attending NYU Law, Alex earned a B.B.A. in Legal Studies and Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami.
- Panelist: Kevin Dong, Attorney, Odin Law and Media
Kevin Dong is an attorney focused in corporate and transactional law, focusing primarily on entertainment and technology clients. His practice has a particularly strong emphasis on video games, content creators, anime, esports, and digital media. Kevin has also authored and published articles covering various topics such as virtual property, loot boxes, and user-generated content.
Kevin’s work reflects a deep engagement with emerging issues at the intersection of law and interactive media. He has authored and published articles on topics including virtual property, loot boxes, and user-generated content, contributing to ongoing legal conversations surrounding digital economies and online platforms.
He received his Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- Panelist: Novika Ishar, Partner & Chair of Entertainment Law at Romano Law
As Partner and Chair of the Entertainment Law group in New York, Novika regularly advises clients in the film, television, new media, gaming, publishing, podcast, and music industries on a wide variety of entertainment, intellectual property, and corporate matters. She represents professionals from all sectors of the media and entertainment business, including production companies, studios, brands, advertisers, content creators, financiers, and talent.
Novika received her bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, her master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and her law degree from Columbia University.
Novika has extensive experience counseling clients at all stages of content creation, including the use of AI and new disruptive technologies. She assists media companies and studios in all aspects of development, rights acquisition, production, and distribution. She works closely with individual talent in negotiating their services agreements, image rights, and endorsement deals.
Novika has previously served as legal counsel for major blockbuster films like The Irishman and Horizon: An American Saga, as well as hit series like Yellowjackets, The Rookie, and the Apple TV series Omnivore. Most recently, she has represented Ilana Glazer in the creation of her new video podcast, It’s Open with Ilana Glazer.
Prior to joining Romano Law, Novika was a senior entertainment and media associate at Reed Smith LLP and previously practiced at the entertainment boutique firms Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard LLP and Gray Krauss Sandler Des Rochers LLP. She also practiced with the advertising group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC, the intellectual property group at Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, and the corporate finance group at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
- Panelist: Nicholas Saady, Associate at Pryor Cashman
Nick Saady, an attorney at Pryor Cashman LLP, has extensive expertise in entertainment, intellectual property, sports, and complex commercial matters. Uniquely, his experience canvasses both high-stakes litigation and major commercial transactions.
Nick is a trusted legal advisor to internationally acclaimed artists, creators, athletes, record labels, and sports leagues. He has worked with industry leaders such as Universal Music Group, Major League Cricket, and Anyma on various legal issues. His work also includes groundbreaking cases, such as the successful defense of Kevin McCoy in the first-ever NFT dispute and an impeachment investigation into a prominent politician.
Committed to supporting artists and athletes, Nick provides pro bono counsel through organizations like Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and the NIL Pro Bono Project, and sits on the board of various nonprofits.
Nick holds an LL.M. from NYU School of Law, where he received the prestigious George Colin Award and studied on two merit scholarships. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney, where he graduated 1st in his class. Nick has been recognized as a rising star by Lawdragon, Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, and has presented on some of the biggest global stages, most recently SXSW Sydney 2024.
Panel 2: Managing Talent and IP in the New Internet
- Moderator: Alexander Plansky, Associate at TA PLLC
Alex focuses his practice on business litigation matters, bringing a strong background in intellectual property and emerging technology issues to his work. He graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from the University of Miami School of Law, where he served as Online Media Editor of the University of Miami Business Law Review and as President of the Intellectual Property Law Society. During law school, he interned with the University of Miami School of Law Startup Clinic, advising early-stage ventures at the intersection of law and innovation.
In his law review note, Virtual Stardom: The Case for Protecting the Intellectual Property Rights of Digital Celebrities as Software, Alex examined how rapidly advancing technology enabled the creation of digital performers—both replicas of real individuals and entirely virtual personalities. The article argued that, in the near term, such virtual celebrities functioned as software rather than autonomous entities and proposed that their owners should receive copyright protections for their use, along with trademark protection for their names and likenesses. His work contributed to ongoing debates about intellectual property, digital replicas, and the future of entertainment in an AI-driven landscape.
- Panelist: Gerard M. Anthony, Owner and Managing Attorney at Anthony Law Group
Gerard Anthony is an entertainment attorney with a dynamic and multifaceted practice spanning music, film, startup ventures, branding, and licensed content. He advises a broad range of creative and entrepreneurial clients, offering strategic counsel tailored to the evolving demands of the entertainment and media industries.
In addition to representing recording artists, producers, and other music professionals, Gerard has developed a particular niche in live event production. He serves as counsel to AFROPUNK, one of the fastest growing and most culturally impactful music festivals, where he advises on complex legal issues at the intersection of entertainment, branding, and large-scale event operations.
Gerard earned his J.D. from Campbell University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is admitted to practice in New York and North Carolina and is actively involved in the New York City Bar Entertainment Law Committee, the New York State Bar Entertainment Law Committee, and the Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA).
- Panelist: Novika Ishar, Partner & Chair of Entertainment Law at Romano Law
As Partner and Chair of the Entertainment Law group in New York, Novika regularly advises clients in the film, television, new media, gaming, publishing, podcast, and music industries on a wide variety of entertainment, intellectual property, and corporate matters. She represents professionals from all sectors of the media and entertainment business, including production companies, studios, brands, advertisers, content creators, financiers, and talent.
Novika received her bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, her master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and her law degree from Columbia University.
Novika has extensive experience counseling clients at all stages of content creation, including the use of AI and new disruptive technologies. She assists media companies and studios in all aspects of development, rights acquisition, production, and distribution. She works closely with individual talent in negotiating their services agreements, image rights, and endorsement deals.
Novika has previously served as legal counsel for major blockbuster films like The Irishman and Horizon: An American Saga, as well as hit series like Yellowjackets, The Rookie, and the Apple TV series Omnivore. Most recently, she has represented Ilana Glazer in the creation of her new video podcast, It’s Open with Ilana Glazer.
Prior to joining Romano Law, Novika was a senior entertainment and media associate at Reed Smith LLP and previously practiced at the entertainment boutique firms Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard LLP and Gray Krauss Sandler Des Rochers LLP. She also practiced with the advertising group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC, the intellectual property group at Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, and the corporate finance group at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
- Panelist: Gary R. Greenstein, Partner of Technology Transactions at Wilson Sonsini
Gary Greenstein is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on intellectual property, licensing, and commercial transactions, with specialized expertise in the digital exploitation of intellectual property. He regularly represents companies in transactions with record labels, music publishers, and program suppliers. He advises companies on complex intellectual property matters, initial public offerings, M&A transactions, audits, litigation, arbitration, legislative matters, and before federal agencies. He also frequently assists companies in the development of new business models and disruptive technologies and services. In addition, Gary advises investors on due diligence in the digital media area and companies in all stages of their development cycle.
Prior to joining the firm, Gary served as the first general counsel at SoundExchange, Inc., the sole entity designated by the Copyright Royalty Board to collect and distribute statutory performance royalties for sound recordings. Gary previously was the vice president of business and legal affairs at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In this role, he negotiated and drafted licensing agreements for webcasters and satellite radio services, managed complex arbitrations before Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels, and prepared proposed legislation, regulations, and congressional testimony.
Before joining the RIAA, Gary was an associate in the Washington, D.C., office of Arnold & Porter, where he represented Major League Baseball on numerous matters before the U.S. Copyright Office, with a particular focus on satellite and cable television statutory licensing matters. He also served as outside counsel to the RIAA and Universal Music Group, specializing in statutory and non-statutory licensing matters for the use of sound recordings through new digital media.
Panel 3: Fragmentation and the Future of IP Governance for Creators
- Moderator: Jacob Noti-Victor, Professor of Law at Cardozo School of Law
Jacob Noti Victor is a Professor of Law. He teaches and writes in the areas of intellectual property, technology law, and property. His scholarship focuses on how legal regimes shape innovation, creativity, and the adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Professor Noti Victor’s work has appeared in leading law reviews such as the Virginia Law Review, Stanford Law Review, Minnesota Law Review, and Washington University Law Review. His current research explores issues such as AI authorship, competition in copyright markets, and press freedom.
Before entering academia, Professor Noti Victor practiced intellectual property litigation at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and clerked for Judge Pierre N. Leval on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, where he was an Essays Editor of the Yale Law Journal, and an A.B. from Harvard College.
- Panelist: Janine Beach, Managing Attorney at Phoenix Entertainment Law
Janine is an entertainment attorney and the founder of Phoenix Entertainment Law. She is called to the bar in three major entertainment industry markets: New York, California and Ontario. Janine holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law and an MBA from Columbia Graduate School of Business. She also earned a BA with Joint Honors from McGill University. In addition to her academic achievements in law and business, Janine is an accomplished musician, having received an Associate Diploma in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music with First Class Honors and Distinction
Janine advises on a full range of entertainment transactional matters focusing on film, television, digital media and theater. For her talent clients, Janine evaluates, structures and negotiates deals for directing, screenwriting, acting, and producing services as well as those for social media influencers. For production companies, Janine advises with respect to the development, financing, production and distribution of film, television and theater projects. This work includes acquiring rights to intellectual property, production counsel services, negotiating financing agreements and distribution advisory.
Her clients’ films have premiered at Sundance, Berlinale, New Directors/New Films, Tribeca and the Toronto International Film Festival and are included in the Criterion Collection. Their television and film projects can be seen on HBO, Amazon, Hulu, Peacock, Apple TV, Starz, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, among others. Their theater productions have premiered on Broadway, and been presented by The Public Theater (New York), Second Stage (New York) and Soulpepper Theatre Company (Toronto), among others.
Janine started her practice following twelve years of experience in entertainment law and media strategy, including positions at boutique entertainment law firms in New York and Los Angeles, and at production and financing companies. She began her legal career at a Cleary Gottlieb LLP in their London and New York offices. Her media strategy experience includes management consulting at McKinsey & Company and strategic advisory to the C-suite at two international media companies.
- Panelist: Novika Ishar, Partner & Chair of Entertainment Law at Romano Law
As Partner and Chair of the Entertainment Law group in New York, Novika regularly advises clients in the film, television, new media, gaming, publishing, podcast, and music industries on a wide variety of entertainment, intellectual property, and corporate matters. She represents professionals from all sectors of the media and entertainment business, including production companies, studios, brands, advertisers, content creators, financiers, and talent.
Novika received her bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, her master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and her law degree from Columbia University.
Novika has extensive experience counseling clients at all stages of content creation, including the use of AI and new disruptive technologies. She assists media companies and studios in all aspects of development, rights acquisition, production, and distribution. She works closely with individual talent in negotiating their services agreements, image rights, and endorsement deals.
Novika has previously served as legal counsel for major blockbuster films like The Irishman and Horizon: An American Saga, as well as hit series like Yellowjackets, The Rookie, and the Apple TV series Omnivore. Most recently, she has represented Ilana Glazer in the creation of her new video podcast, It’s Open with Ilana Glazer.
Prior to joining Romano Law, Novika was a senior entertainment and media associate at Reed Smith LLP and previously practiced at the entertainment boutique firms Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard LLP and Gray Krauss Sandler Des Rochers LLP. She also practiced with the advertising group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC, the intellectual property group at Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, and the corporate finance group at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
- Panelist: Michael Goodyear, Associate Professor of Law at New York Law School
Michael Goodyear is an Associate Professor at New York Law School. Professor Goodyear’s research explores how copyright, trademark, the right of publicity, and related rights and liabilities evolve in response to technological and cultural change, including online platforms, generative AI, deepfakes, and traditional knowledge. He also studies how intellectual property law can empower historically underrepresented populations, especially LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities. His work has been published or is forthcoming in over a dozen law reviews, including the UC Davis Law Review, Arizona State Law Journal, University of Illinois Law Review, and Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, as well as popular press and scientific publications such as Slate and Issues in Science and Technology.
Before joining NYLS, Professor Goodyear was an Acting Assistant Professor of Lawyering and a Fellow at the Engelberg Center on Innovation Law & Policy at New York University School of Law. Professor Goodyear started his legal career as an associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in the Complex Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property & Media groups, where he litigated intellectual property cases and counseled clients in the tech industry such as Meta, Alibaba, Samsung, eBay, and Pinterest. Professor Goodyear received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School and his A.B. from the University of Chicago in History and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Phi Beta Kappa, with honors, where he studied Byzantine history.