Derek Dessler

Derek Dessler is an attorney focusing on entertainment and media, new technology, the arts, and related intellectual property and corporate matters.

He has over 20 years of legal experience in these areas, including serving for 14 years as an in-house legal and business affairs executive with the Universal Music Group.

His work routinely includes matters at the intersection of intellectual property rights and new technology, and he regularly advises clients on issues relating to the ongoing convergence of technology and content, including new technologies for distributing and monetizing content.

Over the past 20 years he has successfully negotiated and closed hundreds of transactions, big and small, involving parties from around the world, including the United States, China, and Europe. These deals range from standard industry agreements, to joint ventures, to strategic corporate transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, and investments. His transactional work also includes conducting due diligence analyses for buyers, sellers, and investors.

Derek represents companies and individuals, established and emerging, including: recording artists, songwriters, DJs, producers, and other entertainers and creative talent; personal managers; promoters of live events; recorded music companies; music publishers; cable television networks; software developers and publishers; filmmakers; visual artists; and galleries. These clients are based around the world and range from global corporations and other established businesses, to small, entrepreneurial startups, to investors.