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Michael has been practicing entertainment law for over thirty-five years. He is counsel to numerous individuals and corporations involved in the entertainment industry, including celebrities and companies ranging from start-up ventures to Fortune 500 corporations. He also represents several of the best known and most successful authors of fiction and non-fiction books in their deals with literary publishers and motion picture and television companies. In addition, Michael represents numerous on-air news correspondents and producers of news programming, both for hard news and magazine formats.
Michael has been included in each edition of The Best Lawyers in America. The independently researched 2006 edition of Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business specifically cited Michael as one of the city's nine first-ranking "leading individuals" in Media and Entertainment commercial practice. Michael was recommended as "one of the best transactional lawyers in New York," with his expertise noted in corporate, commercial and book publishing matters. Michael also was named a "Super Lawyer" in the 2006 edition of New York Super Lawyers/ Manhattan Edition, among 5% of Manhattan attorneys. According to the magazine, this selection was based on an independent survey of 59,000 Manhattan lawyers and an evaluation by a "blue ribbon panel of preeminent peers" in each area of practice. He was included by Lawdragon Magazine in its listing of 500 Leading Lawyers in America. The publication evaluates lawyers nationwide and includes "those lawyers who are most highly regarded for their skills and excellence."
In 2005, he received The American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries Ed Rubin Service Award for exemplary service and leadership. Michael is the past Chairperson of both the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries and the Committee on Entertainment and Sports Law of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He has been advisor to several publications, a former member of the Board of the Film Forum and lectures extensively on the subject of entertainment law. For over twenty-eight years, Michael has been the Entertainment Law columnist for The New York Law Journal. He also is the author of Behind the Scenes: Practical Entertainment Law published by Harcourt Brace and Jovanovich.
Michael received his Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University and his LLB from New York University School of Law. He is admitted to the New York State Bar, the New Jersey Bar and the California Bar.
News & Articles: Mar 6, 2008
Michael Rudell Speaks on Publishing Panel Firm News
Virginia symposium covers range of literary publishing topics.
Feb 27, 2008
"Crude Parody" Like Others Before It, Is Fair Use Articles
Decision favoring "Family Guy" parody of Carol Burnett's "Charwoman" revisits the limits of ridicule
Dec 28, 2007
No Copyright Protection for Poetic Collection Articles
Protection is available only for compilations based on subjective judgments -- not an exhaustive omnibus.
Oct 26, 2007
"Citizen Kane" Case Revisits Future Rights Articles
A recent decision concerning the legendary Citizen Kane illustrates why parties negotiating rights acquisition agreements should assume always that old and new technology will give way to unforeseen newer technology. Oct 12, 2007
Michael Rudell and Eric Brown Speak at ABA Forum Firm News
Panel discussion treats literary publishing issues
Sep 23, 2007
Seven FWRV Attorneys Again Named "Super Lawyers" Firm News
Magazine lists top 5% of NY Metro area attorneys as chosen by their peers, by panel review, and through independent research
Aug 24, 2007
Perpetual 5% Fee Found to be Unenforceable Articles
A dispute between two California law firms sheds light on percentage fee arrangements; New York precedent covers parallel ground
Aug 1, 2007
Michael Rudell Named a "Power Lawyer" Firm News
Listed by Hollywood Reporter among top "dealmakers" in entertainment industry
Jul 24, 2007
FWRV Maintains Top Ranking in Entertainment Law Firm News
2007 Chambers USA names Franklin Weinrib one of New York's four top-ranking media and entertainment firms working in theater, film, television and music.
Jun 22, 2007
Cussler and Crusader Find It Hard to Adapt Articles
Authors seek to influence the way their books are adapted to the screen with varying results
Apr 26, 2007
Cablevision Decision Spotlights Digital Issues Articles
Case holds that remote storage DVR service infringes rights of owners of tv programs; also finds buffer copies to be infringing.
Feb 23, 2007
Plagiarism and Illegality--Not Always the Same Articles
Plagiarism is based on moral and professional standards and copyright infringement is based on legal rules. How does a recent case of copying by a novelist measure up using both yardsticks?
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