Kai Alva Smith

I’m Kai Smith, an entertainment and intellectual property attorney based in Los Angeles and serving clients throughout California. I founded Kai Smith Law to give filmmakers, musicians, content creators, and growing businesses the same quality of legal counsel the major studios rely on.

I began my career in-house at The Walt Disney Company. I was selected for the inaugural class of Disney’s Lawyers in Film Training (D-LIFT) program and later promoted to Counsel, Legal Affairs, at 20th Century Studios and Disneynature. In that role, I negotiated and drafted talent agreements for writers, directors, producers, and lead cast. I also managed chain-of-title, rights acquisitions, and clearances, and closed more than 75 production agreements for theatrical and streaming releases. During law school, I worked in business and legal affairs at Marvel Studios and in Disney’s Studio Music department, drafting music, licensing, and production agreements.

Today, I bring that studio experience to independent creators and businesses. I help clients:

• negotiate talent, production, distribution, and licensing deals
• register and protect their copyrights and trademarks
• form and structure their businesses
• navigate the new legal questions AI raises for creative work, including the guild rules that now govern it

Creative people shouldn’t have to choose between making great work and protecting it. I explain the law in plain language, respond quickly, and give practical advice that fits your goals and budget. Whether you’re signing your first deal or growing an established brand, I’m here to help you move forward with confidence.

I earned my J.D. cum laude from Florida A&M University College of Law and am licensed to practice in California. I work with clients in person in Los Angeles and remotely throughout the state.

Contact me to schedule a consultation.