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About Giancarla
Biography
If you are a creator, artist, brand, production company, or media organization navigating contracts, licensing, or intellectual property matters, in English or Spanish, this is where I can help.
I am a bilingual entertainment and business affairs attorney with nearly two decades of experience closing deals across media, talent, live events, and branded content in the United States and Latin American markets. I have negotiated and executed more than 3,000 agreements throughout a career that has included serving as in-house counsel at Essence Communications, Business Affairs Manager at The Washington Post, and legal counsel for global touring productions for major Latin- and English-language artists.
What that means for you as a client is straightforward. You get an attorney who has sat across the table from Fortune 500 companies, negotiated with major labels and production entities, and built contract frameworks that protect creative and business interests at scale, and who can do all of that in your language, whether that is English, Spanish, or both.
I work with talent, influencers, and pageant titleholders on representation agreements, brand partnerships, and IP protection. I work with pageant organizations and franchise operators on contestant contracts, judge agreements, sponsorship deals, title revocation matters, and regulatory compliance, an area where I bring nearly a decade of direct operational experience as Executive Director and General Counsel of a nationally televised pageant organization. I work with production companies and live event producers on vendor agreements, licensing, and cross-border compliance. I work with media organizations and brands on sponsorship, co-promotion, content licensing, and FTC compliance. And I work with entrepreneurs and small businesses in the creative and media space who need legal counsel that understands their industry, not just their paperwork.
My practice spans New York and Puerto Rico, with experience in both U.S. common law and Latin American civil-law jurisdictions. I am admitted in New York, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
If you are building something in media, entertainment, or the creative business and need an attorney who understands the deal and the industry behind it, I would be glad to speak with you.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Pro bono
3 %
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 7 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2019
No misconduct found
Licensed in Puerto Rico for 19 years
State: Puerto Rico
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 8 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2018
No misconduct found
Location
Giancarla Sambo, Esq.
521 5th Ave, Ste. 1700, New York, NY, 10017
Giancarla Sambo, Esq.
15 Munoz Rivera Ave, Suite 100B, San Juan, PR, 00901
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Experience
Honors
2025
Top rated Entertainment & Sports attorney in New York, New York, Super Lawyers
2025
2025 Leadership Academy Certification, New York State Bar Association
2024
Latham & Watkins IP Litigation Virtual Program, Forage
2024
2024 Trial Academy: Trial Techniques Certification, New York State Bar Association
2024
Fashion Law Bootcamp Certification, Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University
2024
Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Top 100 Lawyers
2023
Inside LVMH Certificate, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton)
2023
Attorney of the Year, Top 100 Lawyers
2023
Most Influential Attorneys in North America, Top 100 Lawyers - Magazine Publication
2022
Attorney of the Year, Top 100 Lawyers
2022
Music Modernization Act: Negotiating Artist Contracts, University of Puerto Rico
2021
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who in American Law
2020
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who in American Law
2019
Recognition for Community Service and Pro Bono Work, Renace Condado
2018
Faces of Loyola Law School, Loyola Law School
2017
Practice-Ready, LexisNexis
2016
Entertainment & Sports Industries Forum Award, American Bar Association
2016
Academic Excellence Scholarship Award - LLM Program, Loyola Law School
2014
Advanced Topics in Copyright and IP Law Certificate, University of Puerto Rico
2012
Realities about Internet Privacy Certificate, Puerto Rico Bar Association
2006
Proficiency in research, Lexis
2005
Academic Excellence in Private International Law, Inter American University School of Law
Work Experience
2023 - Present
Principal | Media, Talent & Live Production Strategy, Giancarla Sambo, Esq.
2022 - Present
Contributor - Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section, New York State Bar Association
2024 - 2026
Business Affairs Manager - Advertising & Branded Content, The Washington Post
2022 - 2023
Media & Entertainment Counsel (Media, Advertising & IP), Global Media Brand With 20M+ Users
2017 - 2017
Program Support Staff, National Institute For Trial Advocacy
2017 - 2021
Legal & Compliance Manager | Commercial Risk & Brand Strategy, Boutique Law Office
2016 - 2017
Campus Ambassador, The National Jurist
2009 - 2017
Executive Director & General Counsel | Franchise Principal, Miss America Organization - Puerto Rico Chapter
2006 - 2016
Founder & Business Affairs Advisor, Media & Entertainment, Law Office of Giancarla Sambo
2002 - 2002
Legislative Assistant (summer position), Puerto Rico Senate
Associations
2026 - Present
Latin Recording AcademyMember
2025 - Present
New York State Bar Association Civil Rights CommitteeMember
2024 - Present
Pathful, Inc.Presenter (Mentor)
2024 - Present
FEME - Female Executives in Media & EntertainmentMember
2022 - Present
Fordham Law Review Fall SymposiumAttendee
2022 - Present
Puerto Rico Bar AssociationMember
2020 - Present
Fordham University Mentoring ProgramMentor
2019 - Present
New York State Bar Association, Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law SectionMember
2019 - Present
United States Supreme CourtAdmitted to Practice
2019 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember
2018 - Present
District of Columbia BarMember
2016 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2009 - Present
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Notary BarAdmitted to Practice
2006 - Present
Pro-Bono Legal ServicesVolunteer Attorney
2022 - 2025
New York State Bar Association - Task Force on the US TerritoriesMember
2020 - 2021
Loyola Law School Entertainment Law Review SymposiumAttendee
2018 - 2020
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember
2016 - 2017
Loyola Law School Entertainment and Sports Law SocietyMember
2016 - 2016
USC Gould Law and Beverly Hills Bar - Entertainment Law InstituteAttendee
2016 - 2022
Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)Member
2015 - 2025
American Bar Association, Forum on the Entertainment and Sports IndustriesMember
2015 - 2025
American Bar AssociationMember
2006 - 2016
Puerto Rico Bar AssociationMember
2002 - 2012
American Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Titleholder Candidate — Eligibility and Intellectual Property Dispute
Matter resolved without litigation, July–August 2025.
Branded Content Campaign Agreements — Major National Media Institution
high-value portfolio of 60+ agreements for Fortune 500 brand partnerships
International Tour Production Vendor Agreements — Multi-Territory
Successfully negotiated and executed production vendor agreements across multiple international territories.
Copyright and IP Review for "Time of Essence" Docuseries
Mitigated legal risks by addressing IP violations and ensuring copyright compliance.
Sponsorship Agreement Negotiation
Secured high-value sponsorship agreements for a global media brand, ensuring brand compliance and legal enforceability.
Influencer Contract Negotiation for Global Media Brand
An estimated savings of $200,000 in legal fees and operational costs.
Advertising and Data Privacy Compliance for Essence Festival
Reduced legal risks and avoided regulatory penalties by ensuring compliance with advertising and data protection laws.
Litigation Support in General Civil Law
Confidential 6 Figure Settlement
Trademark Enforcement — Nationally Televised Pageant Organization
Successfully defended unauthorized use of a nationally recognized pageant trademark, protecting organizational brand integrity.
Pageant Contestant Contract Disputes and Endorsements
Successfully negotiated endorsement deals and resolved contract disputes, ensuring fair compensation and protecting brand integrity.
Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Status and Corporate Governance for Pageant Organization
Avoided legal challenges to the nonprofit’s tax-exempt status, saving approximately $100,000 in tax liabilities and legal fees.
Sponsorship and Vendor Agreements for The Miss America Opportunity
Increased revenue 15% and reduced production costs 33% through strategic negotiations and better resource allocation.
Education
2017
Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University
LL.M - Master of Laws
2005
Inter American University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
New York University
MA - Master of Arts
N/A
Fordham University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2026
What Can I Do With A Law Degree?
Entertainment Law as a Career Path
2025
Broad Perspectives: The Impact of Law
Law and Entertainment
2024
Craft Winning Sponsorship Requests
Sponsorship Requests
2022
Podcast Guest — Entertainment and Pageant Law
Featured guest discussing entertainment law, pageant law, and legal practice in the media industry.
2021
The Legal Side of Pageantry: CONTRACTS
Entertainment Law: Pageantry Contracts
2020
Rams Helping Rams Class of 2020. Alumni Q+A
Giancarla Sambo - Entertainment Executive specializing in on-air production and talent representation
2016
Informational Seminar
Pageant Law — Contracts, Compliance and Industry Topics
2015
Informational Seminar
Pageant Law — Contracts, Compliance and Industry Topics
2014
Informational Seminar
Pageant Law — Contracts, Compliance and Industry Topics
2014
Detrás de la Puerta con Vivian Carla - Radio Program
Featured Legal Consultant in General Civil Law
2013
WKAQ-AM
Communications & Media Law guest speaker
2013
Informational Seminar
Pageant Law — Contracts, Compliance and Industry Topics
2012
Informational Seminar
Pageant Law — Contracts, Compliance and Industry Topics
2011
Informational Seminar
Pageant Law — Contracts, Compliance and Industry Topics
2010
Informational Seminar
Pageant Law — Contracts, Compliance and Industry Topics
Publications
2026
New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section Blog
Week In Review
2025
2025
2025
New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section Blog
Week In Review
2024
New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section Blog
Week In Review
2023
New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section Blog
Week In Review
2022
New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section Blog
Week In Review
2014
Renace Condado Community Organization
Editor - Renace Condado Newsletter (2014 Edition)
2013
Renace Condado Community Organization
Editor – Renace Condado Newsletter (2013 Edition)
2009
El Vocero de Puerto Rico
Featured in: "Giancarla Sambo Forger of Dreams"
2008
Demand Media, Inc. – Online Content Platform
Legal Contributor – Demand Media (2007–2008)
2008
APPoint Magazine – Career & Lifestyle Magazine for Professionals
Conoce Tus Derechos — Know Your Rights Series (2006–2008)
2007
2007
2007
2007
2007
Languages
English
Spanish
Italian
French
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can a performing artist distribute a recording without the producer permission
14 Mar 2026
Q&A
I'm helming a documentary project; it's my story, the production team I hired is cutting me out of everything. what can i do?
04 Dec 2024
Q&A
I have a huge collection of music CD's? My son wants to put some of them on his computer. Is that legal?
15 Mar 2024