Shalizeh Sadig - Corporate Counsel | Romano Law

Shaliz Sadig Romano

Co-Managing Partner

Shaliz Sadig Romano – 2023 March 17

Admitted

New York State Bar (2010)

Law School

New York Law School, J.D. (2009)

University

University of Maryland, Baltimore County, B.A. cum laude (2005)

B.A. in Biological Sciences with Minors in Modern Languages & Linguistics and Philosophy

Recipient of Rollins-Leutkemeyer Academic Scholarship

Awards

Others

IMDb

YouTube

 

 

Areas of Practice

Entertainment, Media & Sports

Employment Law

Business Law

Serving as the Co-Managing Partner at Romano Law PLLC, Shaliz has over a decade of experience in corporate transactions, employment and entertainment matters. Shaliz takes a practical approach as corporate counsel to entrepreneurs, business owners, and domestic and international companies, helping them navigate the legal issues encountered while running a business.

In Entertainment and Media, Shaliz works with a variety of industry professionals including producers, directors, writers, novelists, talent managers, artists, theatrical performers, reality television talent, designers and social media influencers.  She helps clients steer through the legal aspects of the various stages of film production and television development. For her production company and film clients, Shaliz regularly advises on the formation and structuring of single purpose vehicles, proper chain of title, the negotiation of option agreements, investor documents and financing, production agreements, licenses and releases. She also assists clients with clearance and distribution matters. She negotiates contracts for WGA, DGA, and SAG-AFTRA members and signatories.

Shaliz speaks regularly on legal topics.  She’s spoken on Entertainment Law related topics at the New York City Bar, Writers Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, Columbia University M.F.A. Program, New York Law School and Brooklyn Law School.  She has led a CLE course on Entertainment Law to attorneys.  As a member of the New York State Bar Association, she is part of the Business Law and Entertainment, Sports & Art Law Sections.

Shaliz is a voting member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the Emmys).  She is also a member of BAFTA, the Hollywood Radio and TV Society (HRTS) and Chief.

She has been quoted in the New York Times, Newsweek and Quartz, regarding legal matters.

She was selected to Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.  Only 2.5% of attorneys in New York Metro receive this distinction.

Shaliz loves painting, Thai food, period dramas, live stand-up comedy and traveling to places where she can go walk endlessly and explore new cultures.  As the youngest child, she’s definitely the funniest.

Blog Entries

  • Double Fault! Judge sees possible violation for Venus and Serena filmmakers against USTA

    Filmmakers beware.  In a lawsuit commenced by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) against the Venus and Serena documentary filmmakers, United States District Judge Nelson Roman denied the filmmakers their motion to dismiss the USTA’s promissory estoppel claim against them last week. The Play by Play – What Happened? According to the ruling, Maiken Baird,

  • It’s too late to quit now, GoldieBlox

    GoldieBlox had high hopes that the Beastie Boys would not move forward with legal action against them for the use of the song “Girls” in a recent advertisement.  In an open letter published on November 27, 2013, after Goldieblox had filed its complaint, the toy company proposed to end the dispute, stating “we don’t want

  • Things to consider when hiring a minor

    Maybe you’re looking for some help around the office or shop and you receive applications from some bright high school students.  Maybe you have a friend who wants you to do them a favor and take on their teenaged son or daughter as a summer intern.  Whatever the situation may be, there are some key

  • Battle of the Classes – Is Your Worker or Service Provider an Employee or Contractor?

    Updated: Sep. 11, 2020 Misclassification of a worker occurs when an employer improperly treats an employee as an independent contractor or other nonemployee.  It happens all the time.  Sometimes intentionally, sometimes by mistake.  But regardless of how and why, worker misclassification is a serious and potentially costly matter for both workers and employers. Why? Firstly, misclassified workers don’t get

  • Is Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven taking a detour to Litigation Purgatory?

    It doesn’t matter when you were born or what kind of music you usually listen to:  chances are you’ve heard Led Zeppelin’s classic, Stairway to Heaven.  The song has earned over half a billion in sales and helped Led Zeppelin IV become one of the highest selling albums of all time. With such a long

  • To Compete or Not to Compete?

    From small start-ups, to large corporations, to non-profits: the significant increase in the inclusion of non-competition clauses in employment agreements is staggering.  A concept often associated with high level executives, the clause has become prolific throughout the corporate ladder. The goal is to avoid unfair competition. A non-compete clause, sometimes referred to as a covenant

  • Liable for Libel in Fiction: Narrative Filmmakers Beware

    Typically, the most common filmmakers concerned with potential defamation claims against their films are documentarians.  After all, documentaries are fact-based and intended to spread a message of truth, while narratives are fictional. Narrative films, however, can be subject to defamation suits, especially when based on or inspired by actual people.  What happens when a narrative

  • Protecting an Idea – Part I

    Whether it’s for a new business model, gadget, mobile app or TV show, everyone is always looking out for “the next big idea.”  We all know that a good idea can potentially lead to fame, recognition, improving the wellbeing of others or a big pay check.  However, it’s not always easy to make sure that

  • Parting Ways With Your Partner? Key Considerations for your Business Divorce

    Updated: June 30, 2021 Trouble in paradise?  You’re not alone.  According to Forbes, roughly 80% of business partnerships end in divorce: that’s higher than the marriage divorce rate.  If you and your business partner no longer see eye to eye, it may be time for a split.  Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind

  • Employee Stock Options for the Small Business Owner

    Starting a small business comes with many challenges.  Among them: How do you attract and incentivize talented executives and employees to join the team?  That can be easy…with a LOT of cash or by granting a substantial portion of equity.  But what if you want to entice talented workers without the premium salaries and without

  • Stepping it up with Series A Financing

    So your business is more than an idea: it’s gotten off the ground, thanks in part to your investment of time, effort and brilliant business savvy.  Of course, to get to this point, no one can forget that much needed initial raise of capital from self-financing, good old family and friends, angel investors, or a

  • Where to Film? Tax Credit considerations before you start filming your next project

    If you’re scouting for locations or deciding where to carry out your post production, a big factor is how much it will cost your company.  Depending on your production status, film tax incentives can propel your project across the finish line. Most states offer some form of incentive program in order to attract in-state film

  • Why you should exercise caution when licensing out your business’ trademark

    Trademarks are valuable assets for businesses for several reasons.  Aside from protecting your brand and business from unfair competition, trademarks can also be a great source of revenue through licensing.  Licensing registered trademarks can provide growth opportunities for trademark owners.  On the flip side, entrepreneurs can reduce the risks of starting a business by taking

  • Corporation or LLC: What’s the Right Corporate Structure for Your Business?

    Thinking about starting a new business?  Let’s pause for a minute and weigh some important considerations before you start the hiring process or sign that commercial lease.  First, protect yourself by setting up an entity.  In the unfortunate event a lawsuit is brought against your business, a company that is properly set-up and well-maintained can help

  • Term Sheets – A Smart Tool To Have In Your Legal Tool Box

    Updated: June 30, 2021 Congratulations! You’ve decided to move forward on a substantial business transaction.  You’re ready to make it official and paper this deal.  But before you jump into a full-blown encyclopedia length contract, consider a Term Sheet first. WHAT IS A TERM SHEET?  Term Sheet.  Letter of Intent. Memorandum of Understanding. Deal Memo. 

  • Protecting an Idea Part II

    If you’re looking to protect your valuable idea, make sure to check out Part I of this series, found here. But, what happens when it’s already too late?  You had a great idea, spent a lot of time working on it, and then you find out someone is using it without your permission!  Here are

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