David Steinberg is a business lawyer specializing in the areas of entertainment, media and intellectual property. David primarily practices in the film, television, music, and book publishing industries. He acts for film and television producers and distributors, broadcasters, Internet service providers, publishers, creators and manufacturers of home entertainment products and merchandise. David advises his clients in both Canada and the United States on matters related to film and television financing, production and distribution, the licensing of intellectual property for integrated media products and the sale and acquisition of rights.
David is a dynamic advisor who consistently applies a pragmatic approach to his practice. As a result, he has developed strong, long-lasting relationships with his clients. David is highly service-oriented and committed to assisting his clients in achieving their goals. He combines superior legal skills, industry experience and an adaptable approach to communicating and negotiating in all types of business transactions.
David joined Heenan Blaikie in 1993 after working at another major law firm in Toronto. He became a partner in 1998. Prior to becoming a lawyer, David was a professional musician and recording artist, who toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada as a drummer in various rock bands.
David is a frequent speaker and lecturer on various media and entertainment law related topics in both Canada and the United States. He is peer-rated as “most frequently recommended” in the annual Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory and is recognized as one of Canada’s leading lawyers in the area of entertainment law in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Woodward/White). David is also listed as one of the top 500 leading lawyers in Canada in entertainment law in the Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. He has been recognized in the 2012 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in entertainment law.
Education
- LL.B., University of Western Ontario, 1989
Publications & Conferences
- Presenter, The Osgoode Certificate in Entertainment Law, Toronto, ON. February 28-March 1, 2013
- Panellist, Film Production & Finance Summit, Los Angeles, CA, May 7, 2012
- Co-Chair and Moderator, 5th Edition Entertainment Law, Best Practices and Lessons Learned (Insight), Toronto, ON, March 5-6, 2012
- Panellist, “The Acquisition of Underlying Rights for Film and Television Productions”, Entertainment Law – Primers, Developments & Strategies Conference (The Commons Institute), Toronto, ON, October 28, 2011
- Summit Leader – Film Production & Finance Summit, New York, NY, October 24, 2011
- Moderator, Film Production & Finance Summit, Los Angeles, CA, June 13, 2011
- Steering Committee – The Law Society of Upper Canada Entertainment & Media Law Symposium 2011, Toronto, ON, April 15-16, 2011; Moderator – “Practice Management – Convergence and Conflicts”
- Panellist, Documentary Organization of Canada’s National Fair Dealing Road Show aiming to introduce potential users from across the country to DOC’s Copyright and Fair Dealing Guidelines for Documentary Filmmakers, Ottawa, ON, February 16, 2011
- Co-Chair, Networking Seminars Third Annual Film Finance Summit, Santa Monica, CA, February 8-10, 2010
- Moderator, “New Trends and Best Practices in Errors and Omissions Insurance”, Entertainment, Advertising & Media Law Symposium, Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto, ON, April 17-18, 2009
- Co-Leader, Music in Films: Rights Licensing & Soundtracks, Networking Seminars, Santa Monica, CA, June 23, 2008
- Co-Chair and Moderator – “Banking & Motion Picture Transactions” and “Country Production Incentives,” Film/TV Production & Finance Summit, Networking Seminars, Los Angeles, CA, April 10-11, 2008
- Co-Leader, Music in Films: Rights Licensing & Soundtracks, Networking Seminars, New York, NY, December 17, 2007
- Co-Chair and Moderator, “Workshop: Anatomy of Motion Picture Finance Transaction” and “U.S. State Incentives for Film & Television Production,” Film/TV Production & Finance Summit, Networking Seminars, New York, NY, October 22-23, 2007
- Moderator, “Bargaining in the Shadow of the Internet,” Entertainment, Advertising & Media Law Symposium, Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto, ON, April 27-28, 2007
- Co-Chair, Protecting Digital Content Rights and Investments, The Canadian Institute Conference, Toronto, ON, March 22 - 23, 2007
- Co-Chair and Workshop Leader, “Taking a Film Finance Transaction from Start to Finish,” 7th Annual International Film and TV Finance Summit, Atlas Information Group, Los Angeles, CA, February 5 - 7, 2007
- Panellist, “Content Across Multi-Platforms; Financing, Developing and Exploiting Content in the New Media Environment,” Entertainment Industries Summit: New Distribution Channels, New Business Models, Regulatory Update, Insight Information, Toronto, ON, October 26-27, 2006
- Workshop Leader, “Interactive Workshop: From Wall Street to the Silver Screen – Everything You Must Know About Film Finance,” National Investment Community’s Forum on Entertainment Finance: Legal and business strategies for optimizing media transactions, American Conference Institute, New York, NY, October 23, 2006
- Instructor, “Succeeding in the New Multimedia Environment” – “Alternate Revenue Options,” Executive Management Program, Women in Film and Television – Toronto and Telefilm Canada, Toronto, ON, June 29, 2006
- Panellist, “Music for the Screen: Music for Commercials,” Canadian Music Week, Toronto, March 3, 2006
- Co-Chair, Atlas Information Group, 6th Annual International Film and TV Finance Summit; Workshop Leader: "Financing a Film - The Interim Finance Project from Start to Finish", Los Angeles, CA, January 30 - February 2, 2006
- Moderator, “Film Financing Alternatives,” The Canadian Solution Filmmaker Conference, Independent Film Week, New York, NY, September 21, 2005
- Co-Chair – Panel, “A Survey of Transnational Entertainment and Media Law Issues,” Section of International Law, American Bar Association, Washington, D.C., April 14, 2005
- Moderator, “Record Company and Artist Relations,” Entertainment, Advertising and Media Law Symposium, Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto, April 8-9, 2005
- Co-Chair, 5th Annual International Film and TV Finance Summit, Atlas Information Group; Workshop Leader, “Taking a Film Finance Transaction from Start to Finish,” New York, NY, March 7-9, 2005
- Panellist, “The Changing Roles of Managers and Lawyers in the Music Industry,” Osgoode Music Law Association, Osgoode Hall, Toronto, February 5, 2005
- Author, "Hollywood's Dirty Little Secret", Emmy Magazine, Volume XXVI #6, November/December 2004, 79, and Playback Magazine, January 31, 2005, 14
- Interviewee, DVD production entitled: "And Now.The Soundtrack Business!", Guild of Canadian Film Composers, Toronto, May 2004
- Author, “When Two Worlds Collide… Music in Film,” Paper for a presentation at the Financing Workshop, Atlas Information, March 22, 2004 (California)
- Workshop Leader – Pre-Summit Workshop, “Taking a Film Financing Transaction from Start to Finish,” 2004 International Film and Television Finance Summit, Atlas Information Group, Beverly Hills, CA, March 22, 2004
- Workshop Leader – Pre-Conference Workshop, “The Anatomy of a Film Finance Deal: A Comprehensive Look at How to Put One Together,” 7th Annual Film & Television Summit, Insight Information Co., Toronto, October 28-29, 2003
- Moderator, “Focus on Music Industry, Understanding the Business of Copyright,” Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and McGill University, Montreal, August 25-29, 2003
- Author, “Are We Closed Yet? Tips on Production Financing,” Paper for a presentation at the Financing Workshop, Atlas Information Group, June 23, 2003 (New York)
- Workshop Leader – Pre-Summit Workshop, “Taking a Film Financing Transaction from Start to Finish,” 2003 International Film & Television Finance Summit, Atlas Information Group, New York, NY, June 23, 2003
- Author, “Recent Changes in Independent Production and Interim Financing of Film and Television Projects,” Entertainment Law Section / Recent Developments of Importance, 2003 Lexpert Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
- Workshop Leader – Pre-Summit Workshop, “Taking a Film Financing Transaction from Start to Finish,” 2002 International Film & Television Finance Summit, Atlas Information Group, Toronto, November 18, 2002
- Panellist, “‘Extreme Financing’ - Do Not Try This at Home!”, Film & TV Finance Forum, Insight Information Co., Toronto, October 28, 2002
- Panellist, “Music Workshop, Understanding the Business of Copyright,” Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and McGill University, Montreal, August 26-30, 2002
- Author, “Recent Changes in Independent Production and Interim Financing of Film and Television Projects,” Entertainment Law Section/Recent Developments of Importance, 2002 Lexpert Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
- Workshop Leader, Pre-Summit Workshop – “Taking a Film Financing Transaction from Start to Finish,” 2001 International Film and Television Finance Summit, Atlas Information Group, Toronto, October 10, 2001
- Panellist, “International Entertainment Issues,” International Association of Entertainment Lawyers (IELA), Los Angeles, CA, February 26, 2001
- Speaker, “Creative Financing: Cutting the Deal for Film,” TV & New Media, Los Angeles, CA, November 27-28, 2000
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
(Entertainment Law - 2012)
The Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
(Entertainment Law - 2012)
The Best Lawyers in Canada
(Entertainment Law - 2013)
Guide to the World's Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Lawyers
(Media - 2011)