Sangita Datta
Simi Valley
Summary
Experienced in-house business affairs and production legal attorney. Highly skilled in managing and advising on all aspects of development and production of studio-backed and independently financed film and television projects, including such celebrated titles as “Welcome to Wrexham,” "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders", “Pepsi Where’s My Jet,” “Genius: Aretha,” “The Chi,” and others. Prior law firm experience in mergers and acquisitions and complex financial transactions.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs
BOARDWALK PICTURES, INC.
05.2022 - Current
- Provide strategic legal and business advice relating to the development, production, and sale of film and television projects
- Serve as primary point of contact for key business partners, including talent representatives and executives for third-party networks, new media platforms, and other potential licensees, financiers, and/or distributors
- Draft, negotiate, and advise on film and television agreements, including, writer agreements, attachment agreements (director, producer), overall agreements, option/purchase agreements, production services agreements, license agreements, co-production agreements, film finance agreements, vendor agreements, and other production and distribution agreements
- Manage outside counsel and supervise and train junior legal staff
- Advise on a variety of development, production, and distribution related matters
- Access legal risks and provide pragmatic solutions for issues as they arise
- Collaborate with teams from creative, production, and post-production groups and legal subject matter experts to address complex legal issues, including guild related and intellectual property issues
- Review chain of title and advise on rights related matters, including copyright issues and clearance
- Oversee credits process
- Manage the legal due diligence process in connection with an equity investment into the company
- Monitor current trends, legal developments, and emerging issues in the entertainment industry
Paralegal, Legal Affairs
WALT DISNEY TELEVISION
11.2019 - 05.2022
- Manage day-to-day production legal for a full slate of scripted televisions properties
- Draft, review, and negotiate below the line agreements, including location agreement, long-term commercial real estate leases, guest star agreements, content licensing agreements, digital media licenses, nudity riders, visual effects agreements, and main title agreements
- Draft and negotiate above the line agreements for writing and producing talent, including first look and overall agreements
- Develop and manage form agreements
- Review distribution agreements and advise various business groups with respect to distribution related rights and restrictions
- Review and manage marketing rights and restrictions with respect to on-screen talent, above the line production staff, network/licensing partners, and content licensees
- Assess potential intellectual property concerns relating to projects based on existing works
- Analyze, research, and review chain of title documents and issues relating thereto
- Review credits drafts to ensure compliance with contractual and guild requirements
- Supervise clearance process
- Attend business affairs and production meetings
- Supervise court confirmation process of contracts for minor performers
Associate: Finance and Transactions
VEDDER PRICE
01.2019 - 10.2019
- Represent lenders and buyers in mergers and acquisitions transactions
- Serve as outside general counsel to corporate clients
Associate: Global Project Finance
AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP
05.2017 - 12.2018
- Represent developers, borrowers, investors, and lenders in a variety of project finance transactions, such as: M&A and joint ventures, tax equity and debt finance, including development and back-leveraged debt facilities
- Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, loan agreements, corporate governance documents, legal opinions, and ancillary deal documents
Associate: Corporate and Finance
LOEB & LOEB LLP
09.2015 - 04.2017
- Represent lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured commercial finance transactions, such as capital call and syndicated credit facilities, commercial real estate, acquisition finance, and private wealth facilities
- Draft and negotiate loan agreements, security agreements, and other ancillary deal documents, including MNDAs
- Work directly with clients and opposing counsel to coordinate deal closings
- Lead checklist calls
- Manage deal diligence
Education
J.D. -
UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW
Los Angeles, CA05.2015
B.A. - Art History
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, CA03.2012
Skills
Deal Management
Contract Drafting and Negotiation
Risk Mitigation
Expertise in advising on intellectual property issues, including copyright and chain of title, labor issues, and production processes
Certification
Member in good standing of the California Bar
Timeline
Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs
BOARDWALK PICTURES, INC.
05.2022 - Current
Paralegal, Legal Affairs
WALT DISNEY TELEVISION
11.2019 - 05.2022
Associate: Finance and Transactions
VEDDER PRICE
01.2019 - 10.2019
Associate: Global Project Finance
AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP
05.2017 - 12.2018
Associate: Corporate and Finance
LOEB & LOEB LLP
09.2015 - 04.2017
B.A. - Art History
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
J.D. -
UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW
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