Karl Butterer will offer legal insights on the film incentive package and how it can help local businesses.

Traverse City, Mich., July 14, 2008 - Smith Haughey entertainment law attorney, Karl Butterer, will participate in a panel discussion at the Northern Michigan Film Forum on July 22 at Black Star Farms. The focus of the event is to educate the community and businesses about how to effectively recruit and work with the film and commercial production industry. The West Michigan Film Alliance tapped Karl for his legal expertise in the area of entertainment law - specifically his understanding of the new film incentive package.

Karl chairs Smith Haughey's Entertainment Industry Group. He has been active in the arts and entertainment community since 1993 when he founded the Law Ethics and the Arts Society at the Indiana University School of Law. Karl has written about the visual arts for Grand Rapids Cosmopolitan Home, and recently has written an analysis of Michigan's new film incentive package. He is a member of the Arts, Communications, Entertainment & Sports section of the State Bar, as well as a member of the West Michigan Film and Video Alliance and The Michigan Production Alliance.

Karl is readily available for news media interviews on the topic of legal issues related to the emerging entertainment industry in Michigan. News media can contact Karl directly at 231.929.4878 or by email. 

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge also is pleased to announce that the firm has signed on to sponsor the hit movie "Singin' in the Rain" at the Open Space venue on July 31 during the Traverse City Film Festival.

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge has been helping our clients overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities since 1941. With offices in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Traverse City, and more than 85 attorneys and counselors, we offer some of the most comprehensive legal experience available in the areas of Business and Property Law, Estate Planning, Health Law, Construction Law, and Litigation. For more information about the firm, call 616.774.8000 or visit www.shrr.com.

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