ABOUT ERIN

As a member of the senior management team of a company that grew from $120 million in revenue to $350 million in revenue, I learned the importance of strategic business lawyering. My value-added was knowing how to approach a problem in light of the company’s overall business strategy. Each of the business units knew that my department would facilitate their objectives – through creative solutions or helpful suggestions. I never said ‘no’ without providing alternatives for achieving their goals. In an environment of rapid growth, both organic and through acquisitions, the talents that I used to advance the company’s strategic plan were: understanding risk and not being frightened by it; thinking outside of the box; and prompt, proactive, and practical legal advice.

During my tenure at Artisan Entertainment, from 1998 to 2003, Artisan more than tripled the size of its film library to become one of the largest libraries of film content in the world with over 6,000 titles. In addition, Artisan built a leading independent distribution company with direct distribution capability in the U.S. theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, pay television and free television markets. During this period, Artisan successfully completed a full turnaround of its financial performance. Artisan grew from approximately $120 million in revenue in 1997 to over $350 million in revenue in 2003. In addition to growing its top line, Artisan improved EBITDA from approximately $6 million in 1997 to over $40 million in 2003. This remarkable turnaround of Artisan culminated in the merger of Artisan with Lionsgate Entertainment in December of 2003.

As in-house counsel and, ultimately, general counsel of Artisan, I count among my successes:

Rebuilt the legal department following a change-of-control. Developed and executed procedures to insulate the company from legal risk, including streamlined corporate structure, intellectual property clearance procedures, and operations manuals, resulting in reduced insurance costs in an environment of dramatically increasing insurance premiums.

Developed and implemented the structure to increase intra-company information flow and collaboration, resulting in the effective integration of the legal department into the decision-making process of the operations, finance and marketing departments.

Achieved the company’s conservative financial strategy through successful negotiation of co-financing, multi-picture output and presales deals, as well as multiple rights deals with owners of premier brands such as Marvel Comics, Mattel and Denise Austin.

Structured and negotiated agreements with Yahoo!, Amazon.com and other service providers to effect the innovative live 64-hour Blair Witch Webcast, the marketing tool for the sequel to the box-office hit The Blair Witch Project, which attracted 100,000 unique users in its first six hours online.

Negotiated and closed numerous financings ranging from $2,000,000 to $30,000,000, from sources as diverse as commercial banks to international investment funds, utilizing intellectual property collateral.

As independent general counsel, I have served small to middle-market private companies and investment companies. Clients include: a private equity firm focused on intellectual property asset portfolios, a private equity firm focused on real estate investments, IT consulting businesses, and several Internet companies.

2004 – now Independent General Counsel

1998 – 2003 Artisan Entertainment, EVP and General Counsel

1995 – 1998 Warner Bros., Assistant General Counsel

1992 – 1995 Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Corporate and Securities Associate

1992 Harvard Law School, JD

1988 The George Washington University, BBA, magna cum laude

Member:

Virginia State Bar
California State Bar