The Arts & Entertainment Section represents a special kind of client - someone who trusts their heart to their art, and their art to the world. Families and communities need artists and entertainment production, and those artists and production companies in turn need committed legal representation. It is the reason Baird Williams & Greer, LLP provides first tier arts and entertainment law services. Representative clients include:

• Screen Actors Guild 2005 "Campaign for Unity" (produced    SAG campaign platforms, including Film Piracy and Actors    with Disabilities).

• "Over the Moon Productions" and its documentary film    "Banking on Heaven" (official selection of 2006 Sedona    International Film Festival and 2005 Vancouver International    Film Festival).

• Xanadu Gallery, L.L.C. (www.xanadugallery.com).

• Barry Kluger, formerly Senior Vice-President ,Communications,    MTV Networks; and Prodigy Inc. Barry is Managing Partner of    Kluger Media Group. (www.barrykluger.com), and serves    as Chair of the Arizona Governor's Film and Television    Commission.

• Lawrence Pike, former Arizona Chief of Staff for Senator John    McCain, now President of The Chartwell Group,    L.L.C.   (www.Chartwellgrp.com).

• Celebrated Arizona pastry chefs Tammie and MJ Coe    (www.tammiecoecakes.com).

• Fine Artists Lisa Marie Sipe (www.lisamariesipe.com) and    Melanie Travis (www.melanietravis.com).

There is an extraordinary variety of legal needs unique to the entertainment industry. They include contract creation and negotiation, enforcement of contract rights and payment remedies, and copyright and trademark defense. The application of general business law to the entertainment industry also means that clients may need representation regarding state and federal tax code compliance, employment rights, and trade practice regulation of vertically integrated production and distribution systems, or marketshare dominance obtained either through superior product or improper means. Artists and production companies require a complete committment to their legal interests, which in turn permits them to focus fully on their business careers and artistic vision.

The Baird Williams & Greer, LLP A&E team offers a unique cross-section of industry skills to meet the individualized needs of artists and entertainment companies. Led by managing partner Ernie Baird, with his thirty years of contract drafting experience, Baird Williams & Greer, LLP lawyers make certain that the contract meets each client's specialized needs. Ernie's drafting background includes representation of both individuals and multibillion dollar corporations. As the former House Majority Leader of the Arizona State Legislature, Ernie also knows first-hand what it takes to pass legislation. But the common denominator is his full attention to the client's business aspirations and practical needs. Ernie's career as an Air Force JAG officer, coupled with his legal and legislative experience, make him an extraordinary negotiator. That gravitas and skill are reflected in every contract that Ernie drafts.

Michael Blair's music background is the epitomy of artistic adventure. While majoring in music emphasizing in percussion, Mike played in over 200 concerts with groups ranging from a Caribbean steel drum band, a philharmonic orchestra, a pit orchestra for the Utah Regional Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker," a rock and roll band, and touring with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Mike has performed with various ensembles and his playing with some of these groups appears on three CDs. He has performed with groups on live televised broadcasts and was involved in a taped holiday concert that aired regionally on PBS© for a number of years. Whether confronting copyright infringement or contract breach, Mike brings both his litigation experience and an artistically informed view of the law to the service of the client.

Jim Reed, having written legislative analysis for U.S. Senate Labor Committee and House Judiciary Committee Reports, and having marketed his own children's book to publishers, knows the trials of struggling authors. Jim recently completed policy work for Morgan Fairchild's campaign for President of the Screen Actors' Guild, where he drafted the Campaign Platform for anti-piracy protections, Actors with Disabilities, and the SAG Health and Pension Plans. Jim is no stranger to working with the media - he served as national disability constituency director for two presidential campaigns, where he appeared in two televised debates for CSPAN ©. With fourteen years experience in litigation and commercial debt workout, Jim understands that business success and effective marketing are inextricably intertwined.

Ernie, Mike and Jim each contribute copyright and trademark experience as well, and therefore present a formidable legal team in the entertainment industry. Baird Williams & Greer, LLP's Arts & Entertainment clients enjoy the business and artistic freedom that complete legal representation provides. We look forward to welcoming you to the Baird Williams & Greer, LLP family of satisfied clients.