Richard Samson

Experienced New York City-based mediator, arbitrator and attorney with a deep expertise in digital and traditional media, entertainment, arts and technology. Skilled in complex intellectual property, copyright, trademark, right of publicity, infringement, licensing and general commercial contract and licensing issues.

Decades of experience advising and negotiating on behalf of a broad and varied range of creative individuals, including writers and designers, production companies, live entertainment venues and artists’ estates. Experienced in contract negotiation and drafting, particularly as they relate to IP, technology and arts and entertainment issues: theater and film production documents, rights options, publishing and recording agreements and licenses.

Former Vice President and Assistant General Counsel to The New York Times Company.
Former Adjust Faculty at Rutgers Law School, focusing on entertainment and intellectual property contracts, entertainment law & business, and copyright and trademark courses.
Former intellectual property counsel and business affairs executive at A&E Television Networks.
Former Associate Attorney, Entertainment and Intellectual Property Group at Proskauer in New York:  contract drafting and negotiation and international trademark, copyright, right of publicity protection, licensing and enforcement. Counseling Broadway theater producers, non-profit entertainment and arts organizations, artists, publishers and estates and trusts of deceased composers, choreographers and artists. Theater, television, dance and concert production deals; book and news publishing, music publishing and licensing and recording agreements. Production counsel for Broadway shows.