Julie M. Philips,
Partner
Julie, a New York native, has established a loyal roster of clients for whom she provides business affairs and legal services in all aspects of production. Julie began her career at one of the major boutique talent firms, working with such A-list clients as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, John Hughes, Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger. She followed that with over 20 years of experience in her own practice focused on production legal work, prior to meeting and joining with Nicholas, Julie’s high-level experience as an advocate for artists and production companies gives her a unique understanding of the objectives of all parties to any negotiation. Her work includes negotiating and documenting financing and distribution agreements, above- and below-the-line employment agreements, rights acquisitions, location and facilities agreements, and clearances and releases, including complex arrangements for the acquisition of adaptation and remake rights in the works of world-renowned playwrights (e.g., Tom Stoppard) and international filmmakers (e.g., Akira Kurosawa). Representative of projects for which Julie has successfully negotiated the major production-related agreements are Macbeth, Val, Uncut Gems, Lady Bird, The Kissing Booth 2 and 3, Triple Frontier, Eighth Grade and The Meyerowitz Stories.
A native New Yorker, Julie earned her undergraduate degree with honors in political science and economics from Skidmore College in New York, and her J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Julie lives in Los Angeles, where she has raised her twins, Rachel and Ben.
Nicholas S. Marell,
Partner
Nicholas has been working in the entertainment industry for over a decade. The Florida native practiced for five years in Lionsgate’s Television Business and Legal Affairs department. At Lionsgate, he counseled the studio throughout the development and production of scripted and unscripted television projects across a wide array of distributors and ever-changing business models. His work included negotiating and drafting writer, director, performer, distributor and rights agreements. Eager to work more directly with individual clients, Nicholas moved from the studio to the boutique law firm of Donaldson Callif Perez. At DCP, he worked across a range of independent and studio financed projects, handling agreements for financing, development, production and distribution of documentary and narrative projects.
Nicholas began his career working on set as a production coordinator and line producer. This practical experience gives him a unique perspective into the work of our firm’s clients. Nick’s range of experience offers him the flexibility, insight, and perspective to help each of his clients produce their projects.
Nicholas is a graduate of George Washington University, with a B.A. in Political Communications and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Nicholas graduated from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He lives with his wife Sherry and son Sonny in Studio City, California.