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Carolyn J. Casselman

Partner

T 212.603.6421 New York
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A versatile transactional lawyer working across diverse media and platforms, Carrie Casselman draws on her experience in live stage, audio-visual content, music, video games, sports and publishing to offer clients nimble, expert advice. Her practice covers multiple elements of the media and entertainment business, including representation of producers, financiers, underlying rightsholders, authors and publishers.

One of only a handful of attorneys with deep live stage experience in the performing arts, Carrie's clients range from premier institutional nonprofit theaters and presenters to producers and financiers of Tony-Award winning commercial productions on Broadway and throughout the commercial production lifecycle. Her live event and brand-related experience also includes a broader sphere of events such as conferences, professional sports exhibitions, event sponsorships and celebrity appearances and endorsements.

Her transactional background also includes over a decade as a content specialist in mergers, acquisitions and financings involving film and television libraries, production companies, music catalogs, sports teams, and media and related intellectual property rights.

Publishing

Magazines*

Sequential Brands, as owner of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, in an agreement with Meredith Corporation, under which Meredith assumed editorial and operational functions for Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Investment

Representation of multibillion-dollar hedge fund in a significant minority investment in a literary rights portfolio.

Acquisition*

Zagat Survey in its sale to Google.

Celebrity authors*

Multiple celebrity clients in sports, law and entertainment in publishing agreements, including with Penguin Random House, W.W. Norton, Hyperion and Chronicle Books.
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Media, Film and Television

Broadcast and radio acquisition*

Funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC in the purchase of a majority interest in Cox Media Group's broadcast television stations as well as certain radio and newspaper properties, and a subsequent transaction to acquire Cox Media Group's radio station portfolio as well as the Cox Reps and Gamut national advertising businesses of Cox Enterprises, Inc.

Production company venture*

Creation of the Endemol Shine Group joint venture with 21st Century Fox, and the subsequent sale of Endemol Shine Group to Banijay Group.

Film library securitization*

Barclays in its $500 million initial securitization, and $275 million refinancing, of the Miramax film library.

Television financing*

AIG in its $70 million securitization financing facility with Larry Levinson Productions, a leading Hollywood production company that has produced over 200 made-for-television movies for major broadcast networks and leading cable channels.

Award program financing*

Issuance of over $500 million of notes by a newly formed subsidiary of dick clark productions backed by revenues from the future production of five annual live event television programs: Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, the American Music Awards, the American Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and the Golden Globes.
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Music

Catalog sale

Multi-platinum band ZZ Top in the sale of its music publishing and recorded music assets to BMG and KKR.

Sale of music publishing royalties*

A songwriter in the acquisition by Hipgnosis Songs Fund of music publishing interests in certain hit songs recorded by Shawn Mendes.

Music solutions business*

Noteholders of Mood Media (including funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC), an international in-store provider of music, digital signage, hold music, on-hold messaging, scent, integrated Audio/Video, and interactive mobile marketing solutions, in connection with an arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

Music distribution platform*

Searchlight Capital Partners and its portfolio company TouchTunes Interactive Networks, among the largest in-venue interactive music and entertainment platforms in North America, in an agreement to merge with PlayNetwork.

Investment in music social media platform*

Tencent, in its series H preferred stock investment in Smule, Inc., a U.S.-based social media music company and developer.
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Sports

Talent agency acquisition*

William Morris Endeavor (now Endeavor), along with private equity partner Silver Lake Partners, in their acquisition of IMG Worldwide, a leading sports and media talent agency.

Merger*

IMG College, the collegiate division of Endeavor, in its merger with Learfield.

NHL team purchase*

Vincent Viola in the purchase of the Florida Panthers NHL team.

Regional sports network*

Renewal of media rights agreements for professional baseball and hockey teams.

Live events

Event organizer for an all-star weekend festival for a major women's sports league.
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Admitted to Practice

  • New York, 2004

Education

  • J.D., Columbia Law School, 2003
    • James Kent Scholar
    • Carroll G. Harper Prize
    • Andrew D. Fried Prize
    • Submissions Editor, Columbia Journal for Law and Arts
  • M.F.A., Theatre Management and Producing, Columbia University School of the Arts, 2003, with honors
  • B.A., International Relations, Stanford University, 1997

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Adjunct Associate Professor, Columbia University School of the Arts, 2007-present

Professional Recognition

    • Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Entertainment Law - Theater, 2023-present
    • Named as one of "500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers" by Lawdragon, 2025
    • Named one of "New York's 25 Most Powerful Entertainment Lawyers" by The Hollywood Reporter, 2024
    • Named one of "New York’s Biggest Entertainment Attorneys" by The Hollywood Reporter, 2025

Background

    • Counsel, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, 2004-2020
    • Law Clerk, Hon. Frank M. Coffin, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, Portland, Maine, 2003-2004
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Publications
06.06.25
News
Three From Davis Wright Tremaine Named to the Hollywood Reporter's 2025 List of New York Power Lawyers Read More
Publications
10.01.24
News
Media & Entertainment
Three From Davis Wright Tremaine Named to The Hollywood Reporter's List of Most Powerful Entertainment Lawyers in New York Read More
03.06.24
Presentations
Panelist, "The Human Premium: AI and the Live Stage," Davis Wright Tremaine, New York
Publications
08.17.23
News
2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More
Webinar
08.19.21
Webinars
Employment, Benefits & Immigration
"Start Spreading the News! Performing Arts Reopening Considerations Among COVID-19," Davis Wright Tremaine Webinar Read More
covid cells
01.29.21
Advisories
Lifeline for Shuttered Venue Operators in Latest Pandemic Relief Package Read More
Publications
Fall 2020
Publications
Media & Entertainment
Co-author, "Copyright Enforcement Risk Analysis After Fourth Estate: Deal Considerations for Transactional Attorneys," Bright Ideas, New York State Bar Association Read More External Link
Publications
10.05.20
News
Media & Entertainment
"Pulling Up Stakes: Squire Patton, Baker Botts, Davis Wright," Law360 Read More External Link
Publications
09.08.20
News
Media & Entertainment
Carolyn Casselman Joins Davis Wright Tremaine, Adds to Marquee Talent in Entertainment Practice Read More
January 2016
Publications
"Corporate Transactions in the Entertainment Industry: Special Considerations for Copyright Assets," Mergers & Acquisitions Law Report, Bloomberg BNA
Fall/Winter 2012
Publications
"Counseling Statutory Successors Regarding Copyright Termination, Entertainment," Arts and Sports Law Journal, New York State Bar Association
Winter 2011-2012
Publications
"Copyright Termination in M&A Transactions, Bright Ideas," Intellectual Property Section, New York State Bar Association
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