(May 24, 2010, Century City, CA) – Reed Smith LLP today announced the addition of experienced interactive entertainment lawyer Patrick Sweeney as counsel in its Corporate and Securities Group.
Mr. Sweeney was previously counsel at Nixon Peabody LLP, where he worked with the firm’s interactive entertainment and new media team.
“Patrick will be a key player as Reed Smith expands it entertainment capabilities on the West Coast,” said Stuart Shanus, Office Managing Partner for the Century City office. “He brings remarkable experience and a unique background to our clients, and we’re excited to have him on board.”
Mr. Sweeney has extensive experience in the video game industry. Prior to Nixon Peabody, he served as general counsel for Brash Entertainment LLC, a video game publisher devoted to the production and distribution of properties based on major motion picture licenses. While at Brash, Mr. Sweeney negotiated approximately 30 license agreements with major motion picture studios, supported Brash’s $400 million investment, and negotiated a varied array of game development agreements, technology licenses and various supplemental agreements in regard to ancillary rights opportunities.
Prior to joining Brash, Mr. Sweeney was counsel at Haight, Brown and Bonesteel LLP, where he headed the firm’s multimedia practice group. He also served as senior corporate counsel at Vivendi Universal Games, a leading worldwide videogame/computer software publisher, as well as at Paramount Pictures Television Group.
Mr. Sweeney’s experience complements recent addition Michael S. Sherman’s entertainment practice, as well as the entertainment work done by Stephen E. Sessa and Fredric W. Ansis. Each is a partner in the firm’s Century City office.
Mr. Sweeney has written or been featured in various articles on video game-related topics for publications including The Daily Journal, Game Developer Magazine, Video Game Transmedia, International Game Developers Association, and T.I.G.A. (a United Kingdom video game trade association). He served as an adjunct professor at Whittier Law School and is currently an adjunct professor at Southwestern Law School, teaching “Video Game Law.” Mr. Sweeney’s class was the first U.S. law school course dedicated to the legal issues of the video game industry.
Mr. Sweeney earned a J.D. degree from Whittier Law School in Los Angeles and a B.S. from Vanderbilt University.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with nearly 1,600 lawyers in 22 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, technology and media, shipping, energy trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com
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