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Charles Gardner

Much Shelist, PC

23 years of experience
Communications & Internet Law, Entertainment & Sports Law, Intellectual Property
California, District of Columbia, Illinois, New York

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Biography

Charles H. Gardner serves as Special Counsel in the Intellectual Property & Technology group and head of the firm's social media practice. With extensive experience as a media executive, in-house counsel and litigator, Charles represents a broad range of clients on technology, social media, business and intellectual property matters, with a particular eye toward navigating the legal challenges and opportunities arising from the intersection of new media technology with traditional business issues.
In addition to a focus on traditional business law and intellectual property protection, Charles works with clients to develop and document policies, create and implement procedures and programs, and conduct compliance audits related to the use of the Internet, new media and social media technologies and to stay on top of the ever-evolving regulations and best practices.

Charles has significant experience negotiating and drafting agreements that cover software licenses, Internet services, content sharing and advertising, as well as retail agreements involving e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores. He advises clients on employment issues, including the development and implementation of legal and practical policies that minimize liability relating to a company's employment practices and the activities of its employees at and outside of work.

As an experienced trial and appellate attorney, Charles handles intellectual property and media-related disputes; tort and other types of claims (including defamation, invasion of privacy and misappropriation of names or likenesses claims); and FCC/FTC regulations and compliance. Drawing on his extensive network in the legal and entertainment industries, Charles offers clients an insider's perspective on the business, economic and regulatory issues they face every day.

Education

Loyola Law School, Los Angeles: J.D. (2000) | Law; 1997 - 2000; Activities: Staff Writer, Entertainment Law Review

University of California - Berkeley: B.A. | Liberal Arts; 1984 - 1989; Honors: Departmental Award (1987) for Technical Theatre (Department of Dramatic Art)

Professional Experience

Special Counsel, Intellectual Property Group and Head of Social Media Practice: Much Shelist, PC; 2011 - Current; Privacy, Social Media, Entertainment and Intellectual Property Counsel. Head of social media practice group. Frequent CLE lecturer and writer.

Director of Legal and Business Affairs and Senior Attorney: Harpo Studios, Inc.; 2006 - 2011; Director of business and legal affairs for Harpo and Oprah Radio, Oprah.com, company retail (on-line and brick and mortar), and television production and development (including union negotiations and collective bargaining agreements).

Senior Associate: Bennett & Erdman; 2005 - 2006; Senior associate at civil litigation and transactional law firm. Argued successfully to have a California law struck down as un-constitutional (against the California Constitution).

Business and Legal Affairs Counsel: Warner Bros./Telepictures; 2003 - 2005; Business and legal affairs counsel to busy reality television production company. Programs includes "The Bachelor", "The Bachelorette", "High School Reunion", "Trista and Ryan's Wedding", and "The Real Gilligan's Island".

Litigation Associate: Harrington, Foxx, Dubrow & Canter; 2001 - 2003; Litigation associate at busy downtown Los Angeles law firm. Managed heavy caseload and complex litigation.

Production Counsel: Freelance Television Production (Legal); 2001 - 2001; Production Counsel for reality television series "The Mole" and "Rivals".

Production Supervisor, Post Production Supervisor, Script Supervisor, Stage Manager and others: Freelance Television Production (Non-legal); 1989 - 2001; Freelance television production/executive. Over 50 national credits. Recipient of two Emmy awards.