Michael Isselin is a partner in the Entertainment & Media Group at Reed Smith. With a focus on the advertising industry, Michael's practice encompasses a wide range of areas, including talent and influencer marketing, SAG-AFTRA issues, celebrity endorsements, digital and social media, web3 and AI, and sponsorships and promotions. His experience in these fields has made him a trusted advisor to a roster of high-profile clients, who rely on his exceptional negotiation skills and deep industry knowledge to secure some of the most lucrative endorsement deals with the world's top celebrities.
In addition to his work with clients, Michael serves as legal counsel to The Joint Policy Committee, LLC (JPC), the multi-employer bargaining unit responsible for negotiating the renowned $3 billion SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract. As an integral part of the JPC, Michael actively contributes to the negotiation process, ensuring that the interests of the advertising industry are well-represented and advocating for a fair and effective agreement. Furthermore, he plays a pivotal role in educating the advertising industry on compliance matters related to the contract, empowering brands and agencies to navigate the complex contractual requirements successfully.
Michael's practice extends to cutting-edge projects at the forefront of innovation and emerging media. He represents brands in groundbreaking deals involving non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse, seamlessly merging technology with brand marketing strategies. His ability to navigate these rapidly evolving spaces and provide strategic counsel to clients has positioned him as a leading authority in leveraging the latest advancements in media and technology to create unique brand experiences.
Beyond his professional achievements, Michael actively contributes to the legal community through speaking engagements and thought leadership initiatives. His work has been widely recognized among his peers, including recognition in Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 of 2023, Variety’s 2020 Dealmakers Impact Report, Up Next, and Legal 500’s rankings for “Up and Coming” in Advertising and Marketing: Transactional and Regulatory. In addition, Michael is involved in the firm’s pro bono efforts and diversity and inclusion activities, and is the New York Office’s PRISM liaison, Reed Smith’s LGBT+ network.
He is also a major thought-leader within his field, having spoken on influencer and marketing issues at the Association of National Advertisers as well as college law campuses and provided legal commentary for publications including Marketing Brew, Bloomberg Law, the National Law Journal and Law360.
