Robert N Pafundi

Robert Pafundi, the founder of Pafundi Law Firm, A Professional Corporation, and a Hollywood Entertainment Lawyer, has practiced law in California for more than 30 years.

Robert’s passion is working in the entertainment industry. He has spent the last 20+ years representing children and young adults in Hollywood, both as a lawyer and as the owner of the infamous MGA Talent Agency, originally known as the Mary Grady Talent Agency, which launched the careers of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (The Olsen Twins) and of countless other celebrity children and young adults who became Star Name actors in Hollywood and throughout the world.

In January 2020 Robert was approached by the President and CEO of United Productions, which is wholly owned by the highly regarded Keyholder, Inc, a JASDAQ publicly traded Japanese corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan. President and CEO Atsushi Morita formalized this request in May 2020, specifically seeking Robert’s expertise and involvement in opening a Los Angeles Branch Office of the Tokyo based Film and TV Company, United Productions with initial plans for 10 Film or Streaming Projects. The new office expects to launch with Robert at the helm in late 2020 or early 2021 depending on what makes sense in the current economic climate and give entertainment industry considerations related to the production of Film, TV and Steaming projects.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AS A CALIFORNIA ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY
• Representing actors, actresses, talent agents, talent managers, TV and film producers, production companies, casting directors, and other industry professionals.
• Handles resolution of disputes by way of Demand Letters, Lawsuits, Mediations, Arbitrations, California Labor Commission Hearings, Court Trials Before a Judge, and Jury Trials.
• Handles contract negotiation for TV, film, commercials, and commercial campaigns. Reviews talent contracts for actors and actresses. Prepares contracts for talent agents and talent managers.
• Serves as production counsel, offering a full array of services from the commencement to the close of production.
• Prepares Petitions for Court Approval of Contracts with Minors, on behalf of producers, production companies, studios, and talent agents.
• Intervenes in family law and divorce proceedings on behalf of children when issues arise as to the proper use and disbursement of the minor’s income and earnings.
• Qualified Expert Witness on all issues related to children in entertainment.
• Handles a broad array of legal issues and matters related to the representation and protection of children in entertainment and young Hollywood.

Robert has negotiated contracts and represented actors and actresses, talent agents, talent managers, producers, directors and many other industry professionals in contract negotiations with major network TV and major motion picture production companies. He has also acted as lead counsel in an array of entertainment disputes, many involving children in Hollywood.

Robert speaks regularly on a vast array of subjects related to the practical, business and of course the legal side of the entertainment industry, and in particular about children in Hollywood. Robert has been a special guest panel speaker for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) Foundation, and the Entertainment Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. He has also been a special guest speaker for Children in Film, The ATLA Expo, The 3-2-1 Acting School, The Young Actors’ Camp, The LA Acting Program for Columbia College, Chicago and many others.

Robert’s life mission is to educate and safeguard those who work in every capacity in TV and Film, and to protect and serve those who are currently active and experienced professionals as well as those who are new to the industry, so people are led to a higher level of understanding and commitment. One of Robert’s daily passions is to motivate all entertainment professionals to join him by conducting ourselves at the highest moral, ethical, and spiritual levels when it comes to all aspects of the entertainment business, whether you are actor or actress, a representative, or involved with production, all with a goal toward making the world of entertainment not only fun, but safe and also profitable for Hollywood Adults, up-and-coming Talent, those on all sides of Production, and of course, the most vulnerable, our Entertainment Children and the Children of Celebrities.

AUTHOR
• Safe Stardom: How to Protect Your Children on Their Road to Fame (Dunham Book, 2014);

PRODUCER
• Managing Producer and lead Production Counsel on the Award-Winning inspirational documentary film titled The 25,000 Mile Love Story, narrated by Oscar winner, John Ridley (Best Screenplay Adaptation, 12 Years a Slave), and directed by Emmy nominated, John Davies.
• Production, Casting and Legal Counsel: Story Game, a feature film, shot in Japan and Hawaii, now out for Worldwide Distribution: A Collaboration with TalkStory Productions.
• Lead Producer: Los Angeles Branch Office of United Productions, wholly owned by the Keyholder, Inc, a JASDAQ publicly traded Japanese corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan.
• Producer: Sand Woman, a feature film to be shot in Japan: Pre-Production Phase: Script Complete. Based on a Novel by Kobo Abe.
• Producer: Goo Goo G’Joob, a feature film to be shot in Japan: Development Phase: Script Complete. Original Concept Script.