Profile
Paul D. Schindler is the Senior Chair of the New York Entertainment and Media Practice. Paul and Allen Grubman established a law firm in May 1974 and were joined shortly thereafter by Arthur Indursky. Together they formed the law firm of Grubman Indursky & Schindler, P.C. Over the years, Paul Schindler has served as counsel to numerous award-winning, multi-platinum musical artists, producers, record labels, and various types of entertainment companies.
Concentrations
- Entertainment law, including music, film and television
- Contract negotiations and renegotiations for superstar recording artists, producers, high profile entertainment executives, celebrities and corporations
- Production, label, distribution and joint venture agreements
- Licensing, merchandising, fashion, fragrance and cosmetics deals
- Soundtrack agreements for major motion pictures
- Literary agreements with major book publishers
- Sponsorship, endorsement and touring agreements
- Corporate acquisitions, mergers and consultation of National and International entertainment companies and individuals
- Executive compensation agreements
- Sale of entertainment catalogues
- Representation of numerous significant songwriters in publishing and joint venture agreements with major publishing companies
- Negotiation of theater and recording agreements
Capabilities
Experience
- Negotiated numerous complex agreements for music superstars, record labels and various entertainment companies. Negotiated sale of record labels, publishing companies, merchandising companies, talent/booking agencies and management companies, including:
- Madonna Joint Venture with Time Warner
- Renegotiation Deborah Gibson/Atlantic Records
- Renegotiation Kiss/PolyGram Records
- Woodstock Festival Agreements
- Michael Ritto/Medley/sale to EMI
- Renegotiation Michael Bolton/Sony Records
- Structured, negotiated, and implemented aspects of the creation and development of House of Blues
- Renegotiation Men at Work/Sony Records
- Renegotiation Ricky Martin/Sony Records
- Renegotiation So So Def/Sony Records
- Ruffhouse sale to Sony
- Sale of Def Jam Records
- Nick Lachey & Jessica Simpson/"Newlyweds"/MTV show
- Sale of MVO Agency (Vlasic) to ICM
- Sale of Fantasma Promotions (John Stall) to Live Nation
- Renegotiation of Mana Records Agreement with Warner Brothers Records
- Ashlee Simpson/MTV show
- The Osbournes/MTV show
- Sharon Osbourne/Warner Bros. TV show
- Nick Lachey/MTV show
- Carson Daly "Last Call with Carson Daly"/NBC
- Carson Daly "TRL"/MTV
- Carson Daly/ Premiere Radio Networks
- Renegotiation Shakira/Sony
- Renegotiation Alicia Keys/J Records and EMI Publishing
- Sale of Uptown Records
- Renegotiation Bon Jovi/PolyGram Records
- Vera Wang/Fragrance deal with Unilever
- Russell Simmons/Phat Fashions
- Signatures Network Merchandising/Sales agreements with Sony, MCA & CMGI
- Sale of World Online Merchandising
- Sale of Mushroom Records Australia to News Corp. Ltd.
- Structured, negotiated, and implemented aspects of the creation and development of Red Ant Records
- Mitch Slater/Metropolitan Entertainment sale to Clear Channel
- Renegotiation Marc Anthony/Sony Records
- Former Senior Partner, Grubman Indursky & Schindler, P.C.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Entertainment Law - Music, 2007-2023
- Listed, Variety, "Legal Impact Report," 2014 and 2023
- Listed, Variety, "Dealmakers Impact Report," 2012 and 2023
- Team Member, a Law360 “Media & Entertainment Practice Group of the Year,” 2022
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2006-2019
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2006-2023
- Named, Billboard magazine, "Top Music Lawyers," 2017-2018 and 2020-2024
- Listed, Variety, “Dealmakers Elite: New York," September 26, 2017
- Named, U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Law Firm of the Year" in Entertainment Law - Music, 2011-2012
- Profiled, "Power Lawyers: Top 100 Outside Counsel," The Hollywood Reporter, 2010
- Listed, Who's Who in Entertainment
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Media and Entertainment - Film, Music and TV, 2007
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- National organizations
- Executive Committee, Lifebeat
- Executive Committee, TJ Martell Foundation
- Executive Committee, Nordoff Robbins
- Executive Committee, NARAS/Grammy's Entertainment Law Initiative
- Executive Committee, City of Hope
- New York City organizations - Memberships/Patrons
- Family Membership, Abigail Adams Smith Museum
- Chapin School Parents Association
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- Central Park Playground Partners
- Museum of American Folk Art
- Central Park Conservatory
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Museum of Modern Art
- Brooklyn Law School Alumni Association
- Quogue Local organizations - Memberships/Patrons
- Quogue Association, Inc.
- East End Hospice
- Quogue Wildlife Association
- Quogue Junior Theater Troupe
- Southampton Hospital Association
- Quogue Library
- Clubs
- New York Athletic Club, New York, New York
- Shinnecock Yacht Club, Quogue, New York
- La Ronde Beach Club, Westhampton Beach, New York
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Brooklyn Law School
- B.A., Syracuse University
Admissions
- New York