Women In Film

IVY KAGAN BIERMAN

Ivy Kagan Bierman's practice includes the representation of entertainment and related companies in labor, production, distribution, technology and other business matters. She handles both transactional and litigation matters for clients.

Ms. Bierman is one of a select few of entertainment labor lawyers looked to by producers, distributors, national advertisers and advertising agencies for representation in guild and union matters. She regularly counsels entertainment and advertising companies about the SAG, AFTRA, DGA, WGA, AFM, Teamsters and IATSE agreements and handles claims arising out of such agreements.

Ms. Bierman strategizes with major entertainment companies with respect to the WGA, SAG and DGA negotiations and potential strikes. She advised several national advertisers in connection with the SAG Commercial strike. She was also one of the first attorneys to negotiate interactive and multimedia agreements with SAG, the WGA and the DGA.

Ms. Bierman currently advises clients with respect to the guilds' and unions' evolving positions regarding reality television, brand integration and the development and exhibition of content over the Internet and mobile devices. She currently represents several entertainment companies in connection with a series of entertainment industry-wide class action lawsuits. Ms. Bierman also regularly provides sexual harassment, discrimination and non-fraternization training tailored to entertainment industry companies with "edgy" programming content.

Ms. Bierman represents the largest independent television production company in the world, one of the largest payroll service companies in the entertainment industry, production companies, distribution companies, Internet and New Media companies, post-production companies, national advertisers and advertising agencies.

In addition, Ms. Bierman represented Panavision International, LP in its preeminent lawsuit against a cyber-squatter before the District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal.

• Entertainment and Media
• Advertising and Promotions
• Employment and Labor
• Litigation

Publications/Speeches

• Speaker, 19th National Advanced Corporate Counsel Forum on Advertising Law, Las Vegas, Nevada (June 5-6, 2007)
• Speaker, Understanding Guild Issues: A Practical Discussion with Industry Experts, Los Angeles, California (April 23, 2007)
• Speaker, Maximizing Branded Entertainment Deals, New York, New York (March 27-28, 2007)
• Moderator, 31st Annual UCLA Entertainment Symposium, Los Angeles, California (March 2-3, 2007)
• Speaker, Product Integration Panel, Atlas International Film & TV Summit, Los Angeles (February 2007)
• Speaker, 18th National Advanced Corporate Counsel Forum on Advertising Law, New York, New York (December 5-6, 2006)
• Speaker, Understanding Guild Issues: A Practical Discussion with Industry Experts, Chicago, Illinois (October 26, 2006)
• Speaker, Understanding Guild Issues: A Practical Discussion with Industry Experts, New York, New York (October 24, 2006)
• Speaker, Madison Ave Meets Music Row, Nashville, Tennessee (October 10, 2006)

Media Mentions

• SAG's Endgame is Still a Mystery By Leslie Simmons, The Hollywood Reporter
• Women of Achievement 2008 Century City News
• Reality TV's Bid for Respect Gets Legal Lift By Nicholas Taborek, Los Angeles Daily Journal
• No-Strike Pacts on Yari Agenda By Leslie Simmons, The Hollywood Reporter
• TV Workers Claim They Were Denied Overtime Pay, Meal Breaks By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times
• Reality Strikes By Joel Russell, Los Angeles Business Journal
• Scribes, Studios Back in the Ring for Next Round By Carl DiOrio, The Hollywood Reporter
• Hollywood Plays the Dating Game By Dave McNary, Variety
• Striking Out Into the Unknown By Kellie Schmitt, The Recorder
• Strike Makes More Work for Lawyers By Alexa Hyland, Los Angeles Daily Journal
• Hollywood Writers Picket; Fans to Feel the Effect Today By Gary Levin, Bill Keveney and Peter Johnson, USA TODAY
• Mediator to the Rescue, Maybe By Carl DiOrio, The Hollywood Reporter
• WGA May Delay Strike By Dave McNary, Variety
• Unions Resist 'Temptation' By Leslie Simmons, The Hollywood Reporter
• Hold on WGA, AMPTP Talks By Carl DiOrio, The Hollywood Reporter
• To SAG, Product Placements are a Sore Spot By Carl DiOrio, Backstage.com
• For the Main Event: Reps Vs. Studio Execs By Carl DiOrio, The Hollywood Reporter
• Striking a Pose By Dave McNary, Daily Variety
• Mobisodes - Mobile Entertainment By Debra Kaufman, The Hollywood Reporter
• Women Get a Break at Hollywood Law Firm By Frank Swertlow, Los Angeles Business Journal

Affiliations

• Board of Directors, Women In Film
• Board of Directors, Los Angeles County Bar Foundation (2005-2007)
• Member, Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel
• Member, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
• Member, Hollywood Radio and Television Society
• Member, Anti-Defamation League Entertainment Industry Council
• Member, Motion Picture & Television Fund Professional Advisory Network
• Former Chair, Entertainment and Labor Sections, Century City Bar Association

Distinctions

• Named "2008 Woman of Achievement" by the Century City Chamber of Commerce
• Named "Top Lawyer" in The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ.’s “Power Lawyers Top 100” list (2007-2008)
• Named "Southern California Super Lawyer" in Entertainment & Sports and Employment & Labor by Law & Politics in Los Angeles magazine (2007 and 2008 editions)
• Honored as Women’s Image Network’s Outstanding Woman (WOW!) for 2006
• Named "New Star" by Lawdragon 500 (2006)

Education
Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1984, cum laude
Duke University, B.A., 1980, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions
California

Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit