Bob Wise, Principal
Entertainment Attorney | Film, Television & Media Transactions
I advise producers, production companies, distributors, creative talent, and senior media executives on U.S. and international entertainment transactions, with particular depth in documentaries, reality television, and other unscripted programming.
You work directly with me on deal strategy, negotiation, and contracts, drawing on more than 40 years of experience in entertainment law and television leadership.
Outside business affairs counsel and fixed-fee options available.
How I Can Help
Film and television projects
I advise on rights acquisition and agreements for development, production, co-production, financing, licensing, and distribution. I also serve as production counsel from development through delivery, and advise on AI provisions in talent, production, and distribution agreements.
Outside business affairs counsel
I provide ongoing business affairs support to production companies that need senior judgment without maintaining an in-house department. I advise on deal structure, negotiate and draft agreements, and help address business and legal issues as projects move from development through delivery.
Talent and media executives
I represent writers, directors, producers, actors, and other creative talent in agreements for film, television, and other media projects.
I also represent senior media executives in negotiating employment and separation agreements with networks, production companies, and other media businesses.
Media company transactions and partnerships
I serve as entertainment counsel in acquisitions and sales of media businesses, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. I focus on the entertainment-specific rights, agreements, and industry considerations involved in the transaction and coordinate with corporate and tax counsel where appropriate.
My experience includes serving as lead entertainment counsel in the sale of television production companies and the acquisition of a major archival image library and licensing business.
Selected experience*
Client Matters
Representative matters from my entertainment law practice are listed below.
| Special Forces: World's Toughest Test |
For the U.K. production company behind this Fox reality competition series, I negotiated the combined format license, production services and distribution agreement with the U.S. broadcaster. I also served as production counsel. |
|---|---|
| Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas |
For the production company behind this ABC television special, I negotiated the U.S. network agreement and presenter agreements and served as production counsel. |
| Deadliest Catch |
I negotiated network and key talent agreements and served as production counsel for the producer of this Emmy Award-winning Discovery Channel docuseries. |
| Say Yes to the Dress |
For the producer of this TLC reality television series, I negotiated network agreements and the key access agreement and served as production counsel. |
| The FBI Files and The New Detectives |
I negotiated streaming licenses for the producer, owner, and distributor of these true crime and docudrama television series that originally aired on Discovery Channel. |
| March of the Penguins |
For National Geographic Feature Films, the co-financier of the Academy Award-winning English-language version of this documentary feature, I negotiated the co-production agreement with the U.S. distributor. |
| Born Into Brothels |
I negotiated the U.S. premium cable license agreement for the producer of this Academy Award-winning documentary feature. |
| Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines |
I negotiated the distribution agreement for the Japanese theatrical distributor. |
Executive Experience
| Discovery-BBC Global Partnership |
At Discovery Communications, I led the implementation of its global partnership with BBC Worldwide under which Discovery invested over $500 million in the production of television programming and the launch and operation of television channels in the United States and internationally. |
|---|---|
| Discovery’s Programming Expansion |
During my first three years at Discovery, annual commissions of original programming for Discovery’s U.S. networks grew from roughly 200 to more than 3,000 hours. My responsibilities expanded to support the business affairs, production management, and operational demands of that growth. |
* References to clients, companies, and productions do not imply endorsement of me or this firm. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Working with me
A Strategic Approach
I begin by understanding the client’s objectives and the business context. I then help structure the transaction, identify the terms that warrant the closest attention, explain the practical tradeoffs, and align the negotiation and drafting strategy with the client’s priorities.
Business and Legal Perspective
My experience in private practice and television management helps me evaluate both the legal terms and the commercial, creative, and operational consequences of a transaction. That perspective allows me to give advice that is legally sound and workable in practice.
Focused and Efficient
I handle matters personally, from initial deal strategy through negotiation and documentation. This senior-level attention helps keep negotiations focused, decisions timely, and legal costs proportionate to the value and complexity of the transaction. I selectively use secure, business-grade AI tools, which do not train on client information, to support document analysis and drafting, reviewing the work personally and using the time saved to focus on strategy and negotiation.
Fees and Ongoing Support
In addition to hourly billing, I offer fixed fees for appropriately scoped projects and monthly retainers for ongoing business affairs support. Ask about fixed-fee and retainer options.
About me
I began practicing entertainment law in 1984 and later became a partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp and Loeb & Loeb. As a senior executive at Discovery Communications, I was responsible for program acquisitions, business affairs, production management and U.S. network operations. I also led the implementation of Discovery’s global partnership with BBC Worldwide.
I returned to private practice in 2001 to establish Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp’s Washington, DC office. Today, through Wise Entertainment Law, I bring that legal and executive experience to clients’ film, television, and media transactions.
My interest in film predates my legal career. After Cambridge, I spent a year in Paris exploring European cinema while teaching technical English. At Stanford Law School, I produced an independent dramatic film and helped organize the Palo Alto Film Festival.
Education
- Stanford Law School — J.D.
- University of Cambridge, Magdalene College — B.A. (Hons)
- University of Michigan — B.S. in Engineering (Computer Engineering), summa cum laude
Bar admissions
- California
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
Contact Bob
To discuss a project, media transaction or ongoing support—or refer a potential client—please send me a brief inquiry.
-
Wise Entertainment Law, LLC
7704 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854 - (301) 325-6096
- rmw@rmwiselaw.com