Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 14, 2011) – Poyner Spruill LLP today announced it has opened an office in Wilmington, N.C. located on the lot at EUE/Screen Gems Studios. Jim O’Brien, a partner at Poyner Spruill who is a business lawyer and leads the firm’s Entertainment Law Practice Group, will head the Wilmington team.

Nationally known for its film and television production, Wilmington is also widely recognized as a travel destination. Home to three beaches and countless attractions, the city is continuously growing in business and tourism prominence.

“We are thrilled to expand our offices to Wilmington,” said O’Brien. “This is a natural extension that will better serve existing clients in the coastal area and we look forward to meeting new faces. We also appreciate EUE/Screen Gems Studios opening its doors so that we may better serve our current business and entertainment clients in Wilmington and have a larger role in the area’s thriving entertainment industry.”

The firm’s work in Wilmington will encompass its wide range of practice areas, including banking, credit and financial services; construction law; corporate law; employment law; entertainment law; environmental law; estates, trusts and exempt organization services; general litigation; government, legislative and regulatory law; health law; immigration law; intellectual property; privacy and information security; and sustainability law.

O’Brien’s practice is focused on both entertainment and corporate law. With extensive experience in the entertainment industry, he currently represents production companies, directors, producers, studios, on-screen talent, bands and musicians. O’Brien has served as production counsel on many feature-length motion pictures and was recently appointed by Governor Bev Perdue to his second term as a member of the North Carolina Film Council.

A seasoned business and corporate law attorney, O’Brien serves as outside general counsel to business clients and 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 with purchase-prices ranging from less than a million to several billion dollars.

Poyner Spruill’s new Wilmington office is located at EUE/Screen Gems Studios, 1223 N. 23rd St. Jim O’Brien can be reached at 919-783-2872 in Raleigh or 910.343.3434 in Wilmington or jobrien@poynerspruill.com.

About Poyner Spruill
Poyner Spruill LLP is a large, multidisciplinary North Carolina law firm, providing a comprehensive range of business and litigation legal services. The firm has a reputation for professional excellence and client service throughout the Southeast. Poyner Spruill has offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Southern Pines and Wilmington. To learn more visit www.poynerspruill.com.

About EUE/Screen Gems
EUE/Screen Gems supplies production space, studios, technological infrastructure and support for movie, film and commercial producers. They also produce original content and offer digital content and production services.

The Wilmington, N.C. studio campus has been home to more than 350 productions, including “One Tree Hill,” “Dawson’s Creek” and “Matlock” and the HBO comedies “Eastbound & Down” and “Little Britain USA.” Recent films that have called Wilmington home include “Nights in Rodanthe” and “The Secret Life of Bees.” The Wilmington property is also home to Stage 10, a $15 million special effects water tank and sound stage. “One Tree Hill” completes an unprecedented run in Wilmington, N.C. this fall.