Duarte Entertainment & Media Law
1 lawyer · City of Toronto
About Duarte Entertainment & Media Law
Duarte Entertainment & Media Law is a small Toronto practice focused entirely on entertainment and media law, run by Tony Duarte, who holds a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School and a B.A. in Political Science and Business Administration. Duarte articled with the legal department of Telefilm Canada and with Strathy, Archibald and Seagram, a firm that later became part of Gowling. In 1986 Duarte joined Allegro Films Inc., then one of Canada's most active feature film production companies, as Vice-President of Business and Legal Affairs and founding President of its domestic theatrical distribution subsidiary. In 1990 Duarte became Legal Counsel to The Ontario Film Development Corporation, now known as Ontario Creates, before moving into private practice in entertainment law in 1992.
The practice has acted as legal counsel to producers on film and television projects including In Darkness, a 2011 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Picture. Duarte is the originating co-author of Canadian Film & Television Business & Legal Practice, published by Thomson Reuters, and taught the Entertainment and Sports Law course at Osgoode Hall Law School for 14 years as an adjunct professor. Today the practice is restricted to legal consultancy work, advising other lawyers and policy or planning professionals rather than taking on clients for a single production or transaction.
Practice areas
Not listed
Milestones & recognition
- In 1986, Tony Duarte joined Allegro Films Inc. as Vice-President of Business and Legal Affairs and founding President of its domestic theatrical distribution subsidiary
- In 1990, Tony Duarte became Legal Counsel to The Ontario Film Development Corporation, now Ontario Creates
- Since 1992, Tony Duarte has been in private legal practice focused on entertainment law
- Tony Duarte is the originating co-author of Canadian Film & Television Business & Legal Practice, published by Thomson Reuters
- Tony Duarte taught the Entertainment and Sports Law course at Osgoode Hall Law School as an adjunct professor for 14 years
- The practice has been legal counsel to producers on In Darkness, the Academy Award Best Foreign Picture nominee in 2011
In the community
- Tony Duarte serves as Treasurer of Artists' Legal Advice Services (ALAS), a Toronto based volunteer organization that provides free summary legal advice to creators across Ontario
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentLawyers 1
The neighbourhood
The firm's address is on Belsize Drive, a residential street in the Davisville Village and Mount Pleasant West area of midtown Toronto. It's a fitting setting for a practice that now works by appointment and consultancy rather than as a public facing storefront, since the firm has said it isn't currently taking on clients for a single production or transaction.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of law does Duarte Entertainment & Media Law practice?
- The firm focuses exclusively on entertainment and media law, covering film, television, digital media and related agreements such as financing, rights acquisitions, distribution and production contracts.
- Can Duarte Entertainment & Media Law take on my film or TV production?
- Not directly. The practice is currently restricted to legal consultancy, providing services to other lawyers and to policy and planning professionals in the private, government or not-for-profit sectors, rather than accepting clients for a single production or business transaction.
- Who runs Duarte Entertainment & Media Law?
- Tony Duarte, a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, runs the practice. Duarte has worked in entertainment law since 1992 and previously served as Vice-President of Business and Legal Affairs at Allegro Films Inc. and as Legal Counsel to the Ontario Film Development Corporation, now Ontario Creates.
- Has the firm worked on any notable film or television productions?
- The practice has acted as legal counsel to producers on projects including In Darkness, a 2011 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Picture, along with CBC titles such as Shoot the Messenger and Diamonds.
- Does Tony Duarte teach or write on entertainment law?
- Duarte is the originating co-author of Canadian Film & Television Business & Legal Practice, published by Thomson Reuters, and taught the Entertainment and Sports Law course at Osgoode Hall Law School for 14 years as an adjunct professor.
- Is Tony Duarte involved in any legal community organizations?
- Duarte serves as Treasurer of Artists' Legal Advice Services (ALAS), a Toronto based volunteer group that gives free summary legal advice to creators across Ontario.
Where to find them
312 Belsize Dr., Toronto, ON M4S 1M9 · 416-486-1688
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