Poyner Spruill's Jim O'Brien Appointed to the North Carolina Film Council by Gov. Mike Easley
Seasoned Attorney Also Recognized with 2008 Triangle Mover & Shaker Award
09.15.2008
RALEIGH, NC – Poyner Spruill LLP today announced that James (“Jim”) M. O’Brien has been appointed by Gov. Mike Easley to serve as a member of the North Carolina Film Council. O’Brien is partner and head of Poyner & Spruill’s Entertainment Law Practice Group working in the firm’s Raleigh and Charlotte offices. His service to the State as member of the Film Council will commence immediately.
As head of the entertainment law practice, O’Brien serves as counsel to film, television, music and other entertainment companies. O’Brien represents directors, producers, studios, on-screen talent, bands and musicians, and has served as production counsel on many feature-length motion pictures.
One such film, Moving Midway, a documentary filmed in the Triangle with plans to be submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences later this year for Oscar consideration, will premiere in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Cary this Friday, September 19. Venues showing the film include The Rialto (Raleigh), The Varsity (Chapel Hill) and The Galaxy (Cary).
“It is a privilege to be appointed by Gov. Easley to join the other distinguished members of the Film Council and serve the state of North Carolina,” said O’Brien. “Our state is home to many appealing locations and attractions that catch the eyes of producers and production companies and I look forward to working with the council to offer professional consultation and meet the demands of the film industry.”
O’Brien was also recently recognized by Business Leader magazine as a 2008 Triangle Mover & Shaker. The award is based on individuals with outstanding business accomplishments, proven leadership ability, and participation in the community.
“This is truly a great honor and I am humbled to be in the company of many of the region’s established leaders,” O’Brien added.
In addition to his role with the firm’s entertainment law practice, O’Brien also practices corporate law within Poyner Spruill and serves as lead counsel to buyers, sellers, investors and lenders in various mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, including triangular mergers, leveraged buyouts, asset purchases and sales, stock purchases and sales, and capital restructurings ranging in purchase price from less than a million dollars to several billion dollars.
“Through his enthusiastic work, Jim has established the profile and credibility of our entertainment practice across the industry,” said Joseph B. “Bo” Dempster Jr., Poyner Spruill’s managing partner. “His diverse background combined with his dedication to the success of the firm and our clients makes Jim a valuable member of our management team, and truly deserving of these recognitions.”
O’Brien received his B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina, and his J.D. from the Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley. He is also ranked among Law & Politics magazine's North Carolina “Super Lawyers” (Mergers & Acquisitions) 2006 – 2008.
Jim O’Brien can be reached at (919) 783.2872 or jobrien@poynerspruill.com.
Media Contact: Courtney Mulligan
919.277.1181
cmulligan@fwv-us.com