Entertainment Industry Team

A cast of legal TALENT

The Michigan entertainment lawyers at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge draw upon the comprehensive legal experience of 90 attorneys in three offices spanning the state. Our attorneys can serve the legal needs of anyone looking to take full advantage of the rapidly growing entertainment industry in Michigan, including film and video producers and support businesses.

Smith Haughey will customize a legal team to meet your specific needs, calling upon one or several of our attorneys who focus on areas like corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, labor and employment, litigation, governmental law, real estate, or tax. The result is a team of attorneys with the specialized knowledge and diverse skills necessary to handle virtually any legal need in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

As part of the most robust cinematic incentive program in the nation, Michigan offers the film industry tax rebates, film production loans, and the free use of state owned land for production. Our attorneys can translate this incentive program into practical information which film and video production companies can quickly use in today's entertainment marketplace.

With a thorough knowledge of the tax implications of the Michigan film rebate as well as a strong general business and litigation practice, our attorneys help entertainment businesses succeed.

  • We can facilitate access to key players who impact the success of the Michigan entertainment industry in Michigan.
  • We can represent independent film producers in a broad range of issues ranging from rights acquisitions to financing.
  • We draft agreements, releases, and waivers for any occasion.
  • We advise concerning the formation of business entities.
  • We work with our clients to draft and adopt policies and procedures that reduce exposure to liability arising from labor and employment issues.
  • We work with employers and human resource professionals to respond to, and if necessary, litigate labor and employment claims.
  • We provide a full and broad spectrum of litigation services, ranging from ordinary tort claims to complex commercial and intellectual property disputes.
  • We run the gamut in real estate transactions, including financing, site acquisition, zoning, land use planning, permit applications, architectural and construction contracts, and lease preparation.