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Raphael Winick
Assistant General Counsel, The Walt Disney Company
Professional Background
Raphael Winick is a highly regarded expert in legal matters related to entertainment and sports content acquisition. With an extensive career spanning multiple prestigious organizations, Raphael has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of legal frameworks surrounding digital media, streaming services, and Intellectual Property rights on both a national and international scale. His specialization covers a diverse range of areas, including creating new distribution platforms, addressing legal issues related to internet and mobile content, and overseeing crucial M&A transactions in the media sector.
Raphael's career includes notable leadership positions, particularly at The Walt Disney Company, where he serves as Assistant General Counsel. His impressive legal acumen has contributed significantly to the development and distribution of the Watch ESPN streaming service and its associated apps. He has also been instrumental in facilitating the offering of Disney/ABC networks on various streaming Digital MVPD platforms, securing valuable programming for both ESPN and ABC, which are cornerstones of the entertainment industry.
His legal expertise extends beyond just streaming content; Raphael has successfully navigated complex distribution and content issues for numerous M&A transactions. Furthermore, he has played a key role in the distribution of the ABC Television Network, ensuring compliance with legal standards while promoting content that resonates with audiences. His contributions to high-profile productions like The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and South Park demonstrate his versatility and comprehensive understanding of the legal intricacies behind successful media ventures.
Education and Achievements
Raphael Winick's educational background lays a solid foundation for his illustrious career. He earned his Juris Doctor (JD), graduating cum laude from the prestigious Duke University School of Law, where he honed his skills in legal theory and practice. Prior to his law degree, he achieved a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with honors from Brown University, one of the leading Ivy League institutions renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum. This combination of education has equipped Raphael with a robust understanding of both legal principles and their application in the dynamic fields of entertainment and media.
In addition to his esteemed educational accomplishments, Raphael is recognized for his commitment to fostering the next generation of legal minds. Previously, he served as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University School of Law, where he shared his insights and expertise with law students, mentoring them in the intricacies of entertainment law, intellectual property, and media-related legal issues. This role illustrates his belief in the importance of education and his desire to give back to the legal community.
Professional Affiliations
Raphael Winick’s career has been marked by his association with various prestigious firms and organizations across the legal field. His earlier roles include a Senior Associate position at Simpson Grierson in New Zealand, where he gained international experience that enriched his understanding of global legal standards impacting the media industry.
His tenure at ESPN as Assistant General Counsel further solidified his reputation as a key player in the entertainment legal landscape, where he handled essential matters related to programming, distribution, and IP rights. He also enjoyed an influential stint at Comedy Central as Associate Counsel, where he navigated the legal challenges associated with producing comedic content that often pushes the boundaries of traditional media.
Before venturing into the world of entertainment law, Raphael garnered foundational experience as an Associate at both Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu and Latham & Watkins, two firms known for their excellence in media and entertainment law. His judicial experience as a Law Clerk for Hon. Charles Tenney at the US District Court and Judge Paul Kelly at the US Court of Appeals provided him with a critical understanding of the judicial process and enhanced his legal reasoning skills.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Raphael Winick has successfully led legal teams through a myriad of complex projects that have had lasting impacts on the media industry. His successful oversight of the development and distribution of the Watch ESPN streaming service is a hallmark achievement that signifies his ability to integrate legal frameworks with innovative technology in the realm of sports broadcasting.
Moreover, Raphael's adept handling of the distribution of Disney/ABC networks on new streaming platforms represents a significant advancement in the way traditional networks adapt to digital trends. Through strategic negotiations and a thorough understanding of content acquisition, he has ensured that some of the most beloved programming finds its way into the homes of viewers navigating the modern digital landscape.
Raphael's contributions to high-stakes M&A transactions highlight his role in the intricate processes that unite companies and their assets. His expertise in distribution and content issues has undeniably shaped the way audiences consume media today, bridging the gap between legal standards and consumer accessibility.
In the realm of educational pursuits, his tenure as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University speaks volumes about his passion for legal education and the nurturing of future legal talent. By sharing his extensive knowledge and practical experience with law students, he is helping to develop the next generation of legal professionals equipped to thrive in the fast-evolving fields of entertainment and media law.
tags=[
Legal Issues
Entertainment Content Acquisition
Streaming Services Development
Intellectual Property
M&A Transactions
Digital Media Law
Sports Content Distribution
Disney Company
ABC Networks
Watch ESPN
Education in Law
Adjunct Professor
Global Legal Standards
Content Distribution
Legal Counsel Expertise
Entertainment Industry
Media Production Legal Issues
Legal Frameworks