DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRM
JMF is a firm of dedicated professionals whose goal is to provide clients with the highest level of professional service and personal attention.
Founded in 1973, JMF attorneys have for many years represented clients throughout the United States and internationally in a wide range of complex matters, including product liability, corporate, commercial and real property disputes, construction, insurance coverage, employment law and entertainment. The firm’s extensive experience includes: litigation and resolution of disputes arising from the sale, acquisition and financing of businesses, shareholder agreements, franchise disputes, partnership matters, sales of goods, commercial contracts, equipment leases, trade secrets and intellectual property rights. The firm is recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise in tobacco matters.
In the area of environmental and toxic tort litigation the firm is one of the few in the country that maintain an in-house staff of scientific analysts, including several with Ph.D.’s, who work hand in hand with our attorneys analyzing technical data, developing litigation strategies and identifying and developing potential expert witnesses. The firm maintains an extensive scientific library and database. The firm’s Entertainment Practice Group represents theatrical productions, actors, directors, producers, authors, theatre owners, repertory companies, and persons in every aspect of theatre, film and the other creative arts in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere.
ENTERTAINMENT PRACTICE GROUP
The Entertainment Practice Group includes Donald C. Farber, counsel to the firm, partners Peter A. Cross and Barry S. Schaevitz, as well as several associates drawn from other practice areas within the firm. Mr. Farber is widely recognized as one of the foremost theatre lawyers in the United States. He is the General Editor (author of the Theatre Volume) of ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY CONTRACTS – Negotiating and Drafting Guide, 10 volumes published by the Matthew Binder Division of Lexis/Nexis. He is the author of seven books on theatre and film. His latest book, COMMON SENSE NEGOTIATION – The Art of Winning Gracefully, is described by Kurt Vonnegut as “a celebration of practical nice manners and tough minded decency.” Mr. Cross brings over twenty-five years of varied experience to the group. He is a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York, the service organization for over 400 not-for-profit theatres in New York. He also serves as a volunteer mediator for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Schaevitz, also a member of the firm litigation group, has broad corporate and commercial experience. He has served as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of New York and as a legislative aid to Senator Chris Dodd.
The group represents theatrical productions, actors, actresses, directors, producers, authors, theatre owners, repertory companies and persons in every aspect of theatre, film and the other creative arts in the United States, Canada and elsewhere.