The Atlanta Lawyer November 2016 | Page 21

5. Tell us about a memorable project you worked on in this industry. Alan Clarke: My representation over the years of various members of the family of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been such an honor. To know and work with Mrs. King (and later her Estate), have been, quite simply, life highlights. To be with clients receiving their first Grammy Award after representing them from the beginning of their careers. To see a client become an “internet sensation” with a major book publishing deal. To meet and represent artists whose works I have heard, read and seen since childhood. All of these are an amazing part of my practice. On the other end of the spectrum, there are the times we are hired when a client is defamed or has naked photos posted online. It’s quite interesting to meet with clients when we have to professionally address a naked photo issue! Peter Duitsman: One of the networks I support used to produce a significant amount of reality programming–which lends itself to funny stories, many of which I cannot share. But one of the funniest claim letters I ever received involved a person in a reality show who decided to expose himself on camera at a pool party in Las Vegas. Despite the fact that he did this in a public space in which he was surrounded by cameras and had signed a release in connection with his appearance in the show, he claimed that the show had violated his privacy rights–and to try to establish a privacy right he actually cited the Las Vegas tagline “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” as precedent. When you have to resort to citing taglines instead of actual legal precedent, there is a good chance your claim has a problem. Sonia Lakhany: I have had the pleasure of working with several entertainment clients, particularly musicians, chefs, authors, and athletes, to protect their names before proceeding with large business deals. It is so fun to see a cookbook or album come out and know that I had a part in helping! ▪ FOLLOW US ON @atlantabar The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER 21