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Michael D. Prywes
About Michael
Biography
Michael Prywes is a startup and entertainment attorney in New York who teaches law to artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and law students.
He is also a former media professional with a background in film, video, art, music, Internet, and law. For 2+, Michael served as the Chair of Film & Television at Five Towns College, where he also taught. As President of 2 Life! Films, LLC for almost a decade, he produced his first theatrically-released award-winning comedy feature "Returning Mickey Stern" (PG-13). Michael has served as an advisor to a number of production companies and film festivals, as well as Associate Producer on the Sundance entry "The Perpetual Life of Jim Albers" and Tribeca entry "The Look." Michael's spec script for "Without a Trace" was a finalist for the (s)cript magazine Television Writing Competition and his original screenplay "The King of Summer" was a finalist for the "Heart of Film" Screenwriting Competition.
Michael is also the author of the bestselling business guide for creative entrepreneurs, The Gasp: How to Seize That A-Ha! Moment and Launch a Winning Business.
A tech enthusiast since the age of 5, when he learned to program Basic on a TI-99/4A, Michael built the first globally crowdsourced audience voting entertainment site, CastOurMovie, which was featured in the Industry Standard, Time, Entertainment Weekly, and U.S. News and World Report.
On the legal side of the entertainment and creative industries, Michael is counsel to the Long Island Film and Television Foundation and teaches Entertainment Law at Touro Law School and Media Law and Producing at Five Towns College. He has served as Law Clerk for New Video Group/Docurama (now Cinedigm), distributor of the A&E/History, Scholastic, and Major League Baseball labels, and has worked for ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Performers). Michael has been involved in the drafting of agreements and negotiations with the companies guiding the future of media and technology convergence: Amazon Unbox, Apple iTunes, Netflix, etc.
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 450-600 per hour
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 16 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
Prywes Greenberg, P.C. - Serving NYC and Long Island
555 Broad Hollow Road, Suite 305, Melville, NY, 11747
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Michael D. Prywes's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Jack | February 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent Service for a Complicated Problem
Working with Michael was fantastic! We were caught off-guard with the threat of a lawsuit that could have completely halted our business, and Michael really saved his. Not only was the quality of his work excellent, but his communication was quick and concise. Michael made himself readily available t...
Posted by Shannon | October 15, 2015 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
5 Stars
I am in the beginning stages of starting a business, I was referred to him. He is great with advice, getting back to me in a timely manner. Very professional & easy to talk to! Would definitely recommend!
Posted by Tom | June 19, 2015
Outstanding Experience
Mike has been instrumental in advising my production company's legal needs. His affable, helpful demeanor has made creating new legal agreements a pleasure. He is generous with his time, delivered ahead of schedule, and has an excellent nuts and bolts knowledge of the industry which proved to be a ...
Posted by Jean Ann | June 15, 2015
Thoroughly helped a clueless but passionate new entrepreneur!
I wanted to start an LLC because I was shooting my first short film. I was clueless and scared, but I was passionate and ready. Michael listened to my many, many questions and answered every single one. If he didn't know the answer immediately, he found out. He never treated me like I was ignorant,...
Posted by anonymous | June 10, 2015
Not Your Typical Lawyer...In A Good Way
I am so lucky to have found Michael. First and foremost, he is honest, kind, not looking to rob a new start up for every dime they have, very smart and well informed. His artistic background is an amazing asset for any client in an art or design field. He just gets it. He went above and beyond sendin...
Michael D. Prywes's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mike is by far one of the most interesting and inspiring people I have ever known. He is very well versed in so many areas, legal and otherwise. He thinks outside of the box and is truly passionate about his work."
"In the time I've known Michael, I've been impressed not just with his legal and business acumen but also with his enthusiasm for his work, commonsense approach, and his compassion for his clients and colleagues. I can't think of a better lawyer for any creative entrepreneur or business, whether just starting up, entering a growth phase, or well-established. If you're looking for first class legal representation, look no further."
"I have known Michael Prywes for many years, both personally and professionally. He is an excellent attorney and is also passionate about what he does. If you are looking to start a business and need legal guidance, I highly recommend Michael Prywes."
"As an attorney for entrepreneurs, Mike brings the added skill set and experience of being an entrepreneur himself and keeping his finger on the pulse of issues affecting business owners. This unique combination of experience and skills makes him a very valuable asset as a lawyer advising businesses."
"I saw Michael give a lecture on entertainment law for a film event in our area. He is extremely knowledgable on current pressing topics and his background in the industry gives him authenticity. He has a great demeanor with clients and fellow attorneys alike."
"Michael is one of those rare breeds you don't come across too often in a lifetime. An individual with brains, a sincere heart, great ideas AND the energy, enthusiasm and motivation to turn those ideas into reality. You would think someone like this would be arrogant, but, on the contrary, Michael (though undoubtedly assertive) is uncommonly kind, thoughtful of his peers, and considerate - a gentle soul and a gentleman. I recommend him wholeheartedly and without reservation!"
Gordon Firemark
Entertainment lawyer
Lisa Carter
Business lawyer
David Pankin
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Christi Gelo
Litigation lawyer
Brittney Borruso
Business lawyer
Experience
Honors
N/A
Elie Wiesel Award for Jewish Cultural Programming, Hillel International
Work Experience
2020 - Present
Adjunct Law Professor - Entertainment Law, Touro Law Center
2014 - Present
Attorney, Prywes Greenberg, P.C. (formerly Prywes Schwartz, PLLC and Prywes, P.C.)
2021 - 2024
Chair - Film & Television, Five Towns College
2009 - 2014
Attorney, Bruce G. Clark & Associates
2007 - 2009
Law Clerk, New Video Group
1999 - 2010
Adjunct Lecturer, CUNY Queens College
Sample of Legal Cases
LaRose v. Pathare
Defense verdict
Education
2008
Hofstra University School of Law - Full Merit Scholarship
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
University of California - Los Angeles
Professional Certification
1996
Northwestern University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2016
Nassau County Bar Association
Life Story Rights
2003
Guest Speaker at UCLA
Marketing & Independent Film
2003
Guest Speaker at NYU
Screenwriting & Camera Technique
2002
Richard Brown's "Filmmakers on Filmmaking"
Directing and Producing Independent Feature Film
Publications
2017
Book
The Gasp - How To Seize That A-Ha! Moment and Turn It Into a Winning Business
2016
Book
Before You Make A Movie Based on Real Life Try Not to Get Sued
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How Far Can a Business/Entertainment Lawyer Go?
20 Jul 2017
Q&A
What are typical lawyer fee structures for submitting/negotiating sales of film and TV scripts? Hourly, contingent, or hybrid?
11 Sep 2014
Q&A
What is a typical producer and artist split on a song where the artist wrote the lyrics and the producer composed the music?
31 Jul 2014