Robb Klein is a partner in the firm's prestigious Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group which is ranked in the top tier by both Chambers USA and the Legal 500 U.S.. After initially practicing in London at a leading European firm, he joined Sheppard in 2008 and became the practice group leader for several years in 2018.
Robb specializes in all aspects of entertainment and media law, particularly film and television financing, production and distribution, merchandising and the licensing of rights, and digital media and streaming. As well as working with U.S. companies, he services a global client base, in particular companies from the UK, the EU and Asia doing business in the U.S. He provides practical and commercial advice to help clients achieve their business objectives.
Over his legal career, Robb has worked on the development, financing, production and distribution of hundreds of feature films, from small independent movies to studio blockbusters. He has also worked on numerous deals utilizing tax incentives around the world, and specializes in structuring international co-productions. His work for financiers includes acting for banks, institutional investors, high net worth individuals, tax funds and hedge funds, often involving secured lending and complex multi-party financing arrangements.
Robb also represents studios, independent production companies, videogame companies, animation houses and rights owners. He advises on carriage deals, chain of title and copyright issues, development agreements, co-financing agreements, output agreements, first-look agreements, re-make deals, rights acquisition agreements, format rights and television licensing agreements, sales agency and distribution agreements. He has also acted as production counsel on many films and television series.
With regard to digital business, Robb advises companies on their online commercial arrangements, from terms and conditions to commercial supply and advertising agreements, and on digital content production, licensing and the use of AI. He has represented both digital platforms and content owners and creators. He also advises computer games developers in their dealings with publishers and on other types of software licensing.
Alongside Sheppard's highly regarded corporate media practice, Robb has worked on many significant corporate deals in the media sector including IPOs, strategic investments and mergers and acquisitions of companies in the film, television, music, computer games, mobile and video on demand sectors.
Robb is a qualified solicitor, licensed to practice in England and Wales.