Richard Garzilli

Richard Garzilli is a highly experienced transactional attorney with special expertise in finance, production and distribution of films, TV programs and digital media content. He has worked with major US studios, independent producers and distributors, domestic and international pay TV services, writers, directors and special effects houses.

California
New York

Entertainment industry executive and attorney with extensive experience in structuring and negotiating complex cross-border transactions in the filmed entertainment and media businesses and in managing and administering rights acquisitions and business affairs/legal departments at entertainment companies and law firms.



ACCOMPLISHMENTS



Transactional Experiences in Content Production and Distribution for the Film and Digital Media Businesses


Served as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer for StudioCanal US, the United States film acquisition arm of Paris-based StudioCanal (a Canal+ affiliate) after serving as Executive Vice President and General Counsel in charge of the business, legal and administrative affairs for the film acquisition and digital production operations.
Worked closely with the CEO and other members of senior management of StudioCanal and Canal+ in overall strategic planning and in structuring, negotiating and administering major film productions (such as Stargate, U-571, and Murder in the First), library acquisitions (such as the Carolco library with titles such as Terminator 2 and Total Recall) and joint venture agreements for film product with major US studios (such as the joint venture with Universal Pictures for co-financing and co-distributing the films of Working Title, the UK based production company which produced films such as The Interpreter, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Elizabeth, Fargo, and Four Weddings and a Funeral ).
Represented international and domestic companies in content creation and acquisition for various digital platforms (Hutchinson Whampoa and In-Fusio for mobile phones), performance animation (MediaLab) and facial performance animation and Internet brand security (Image Metrics).
Represented major international corporations from Asia and Europe in negotiating deals with Hollywood studios (such as Samsung in its investment in DreamWorks LLC and the Italian pay TV service Stream in its output deals with US major studios).
Represented and worked with producers and writers in the development, financing, production and distribution of feature films and TV programs (such as Ben Fitzgerald, the writer of The Passion of the Christ, and Robert Katz, producer of Gettysburg and the film sequel to Dances with Wolves).
While at Fox and in private practice, negotiated and helped structure and administer major deals in the areas of home video and pay TV and worked on complex film financings and distribution joint ventures, corporate mergers and acquisitions and general corporate work for the various Fox affiliates (Pebble Beach Corporation, Aspen Skiing Corporation, and United Television, the owner of five TV stations).
While at Hall Dickler, worked with several major advertising agencies and media buying services on a variety of contractual issues involving image and likeness rights acquisitions as well as other production matters.
While at Golenbock & Barell, worked with Thorn EMI’s US and UK corporate and legal staffs in negotiating and managing Thorn EMI’s film rights acquisition programs and its library of film titles.
Managing Business Affairs/Legal Departments


Established and managed Los Angeles-based entertainment department for international law firm Coudert Brothers.
Established and managed Los Angeles offices for New York-based law firms Hall, Dickler and Golenbock & Barell.
As Executive Vice President and General Counsel, managed the legal/business affairs departments for StudioCanal (US), the film acquisition arm of Canal+, the French pay TV program service.
Headed up the Telecommunications Legal Group for Twentieth Century Fox as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Fox Telecommunications, the division responsible for home video, pay TV and domestic and international TV.
As Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Twentieth Century Fox, responsible for working with the Chairman and CEO, the General Counsel, other members of senior management and the Board of Directors in organizing and running the Board of Director meetings as well as handling a wide variety of business and legal matters, such as SEC filings, employment agreements, mergers and acquisitions, film financings and joint ventures.
As Managing Editor of the New York University Law Review, responsible for overall management of Law Review staff and Board of Editors.




EXPERIENCE



Law Offices of Richard J. Garzilli 2005 to Present

Founding partner


International Media Advisors LLC 2005 to Present

President and CEO of consulting firm in the film and media businesses

StudioCanal (US) 1993 to 2002

Co-President and Chief Operating Officer 2000-2002
Executive Vice President and General Counsel 1993 to 1999

Coudert Brothers 1991 to 2005

Of Counsel 1999 to 2005
Partner 1991 to 1999 (secunded to Canal+ 1993 to 1999)

Hall, Dickler 1988 to 1991

Managing Partner, Los Angeles Office

Golenbock & Barell 1984 to 1988

Managing Partner, Los Angeles Office

Twentieth Century Fox 1979 to 1984

Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Fox Telecommunications

Dewey, Ballantine 1972 to 1979

Associate, Corporate Department


EDUCATION



· Yale University B.A. in History 1969

Honors: Cum Laude

· New York University School of Law J.D. 1972

Honors: Managing Editor of New York University Law Review

· Languages: Spanish, Italian and French.



BAR MEMBERSHIPS



California
New York