Chris Clark

Remote depositions are now standard across civil litigation. They offer flexibility, reduce travel costs, and accelerate scheduling. But as attorneys increasingly rely on virtual platforms like Zoom, Webex, and Teams, many are discovering a critical reality: The quality of a remote deposition is only as strong as the weakest technical link. Without a professional videographer physically present with the witness, that weakest link often becomes the witness’s environment- uncontrolled, unpredictable, and potentially damaging to the permanent video record. This is where the remote-in-person hybrid model has emerged as the gold standard. When a legal videographer is physically present with the witness, nearly every major failure point of remote-only depositions is eliminated. Attorneys get a cleaner record, court reporters receive cleaner audio, and the final delivered video meets courtroom standards. Professional Legal Video & Trial (303) 205-7909 https://lnkd.in/dUveZPMn #LegalVideo #TrialPresentation #HotSeatOperator #RemoteDepositions #VideoDepositions #PIPVideoDepo #SiteInspection #DayintheLife

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Drafting a Prenup: Simple Steps for Financial Protection We discuss practical steps for creating a prenuptial agreement. Investing in legal advice can protect your assets. We outline how to draft basic agreements and offer insights into safeguarding your finances with a notary public. #PrenupTips #PrenuptialAgreement #FinancialProtection #LegalAdvice #AssetProtection #MarriageAndMoney #RelationshipAdvice #FamilyLaw #LegalDocuments #ProtectYourAssets

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Watch out for “maximums” in contract options. They sound harmless. But they can cost your artist hundreds of thousands. Most distribution deals include options. And those options usually include a fixed range for the next advance, like: “Advance for each option will be between $50K and $100K.” Here’s the problem: If your artist blows up and generates $1M+ during the first term, that $100K “maximum” might still be the limit for the next one. Now imagine how much leverage you’re losing. Just when you’re worth the most, you’re stuck with the least. That’s the hidden danger. What could you do instead? ✅ Remove the “maximum” ✅ Or link it to real performance metrics ✅ Or renegotiate options based on market benchmarks Remember— You’re not just negotiating a deal. You’re negotiating your future leverage.

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Protect Your Brand: Avoid "In Perpetuity" Contract Traps! As content creators, our name, image, and likeness are powerful assets — but only if we protect them. In this clip, I share why it's crucial to read the fine print and be cautious of contracts that include the phrase "in perpetuity." It might sound harmless, but it can mean giving up your rights forever. Take a minute to empower yourself and others in the industry. Know your worth, know your rights. #CreatorEconomy #ContentCreators #MediaLaw #PersonalBrand #Contracts #InfluencerMarketing #JuliaHolt

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We can't take the "human" out of humanity! Knowing that legal services are centered on humans, why would we operate in any other manner? That's the beauty of the modern legal professional! We're so grateful for the opportunity to write about these issues we're so passionate about. Thank you Practising Law Institute (PLI) for continuing to expand awareness and resources for operational excellence within the legal space.

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Law360 management is mandating that stories be run through an AI-generated “bias checker” before they are published, and the members of the Law360 Union are pushing back. There are many problems with the tool Law360 has developed: it can’t differentiate quotes and news copy, it suggests softening critical statements, and it advises avoiding bias by omitting comments about the “broader implications” of legal developments, which is at odds with our mission of providing insightful legal analysis. Learn more in this article from Nieman Lab: https://lnkd.in/eu5_9QeJ The union is insulted by the company's suggestion that an AI chatbot knows better than professional writers and editors what should go in a news story. We're alarmed by the ethical concerns this mandate presents, and by the prospect of wasting time dealing with the AI’s unhelpful suggestions on every story. If you agree that Law360 stories should be produced by humans, not AI, you can sign this petition urging the company to make the use of AI tools voluntary: https://lnkd.in/ef5FfbR9 

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Creators: Are you earning from your creations, or just getting exposure? The line between Royalty and Robbery is one contract away. Licensing and royalties aren’t “nice to have”—they are your legal right as a creative. Today’s micro-lesson breaks down how to protect and profit from your work. 👀 Are you getting paid for how your content is used? Let’s talk. Your brilliance deserves compensation. 💡💰 #Licensing #RoyaltyRights #EntertainmentLaw #CreatorEconomy #IntellectualProperty #LinkedInForCreators #LegalTipsForCreatives #AllyOceans #CreativeProtection

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AI is already a trillion dollar industry with the potential to create value at levels we have never seen in history, but a clear licensing solution for content providers and AI companies has not yet emerged. What's needed is: 🔸Certainty for AI technology providers (especially those that use data to create their own models) regarding their right to use data to create models and deploy products. Fair use rulings will help define the landscape, but are not the end all be all. 🔸Mechanisms that allow AI tech providers to license extraordinarily large datasets without chasing down each and every content creator or potential data owner out there which would go a long way. With the speed of AI development outpacing the courts and legislative bodies globally, the environment is ripe for private solutions and marketplaces. Market participants will continue to seek certainty through licensing and other direct B2B engagements, but there is much work to be done on this fundamental issue. #AI #Tech #IP

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Most people think you need billboards, TV ads, or a massive budget to build a law practice. Chris Montes de Oca proved otherwise. He started with no clients, no ads, and no connections—just grit, gratitude, and a willingness to outwork everyone else. Nearly two decades later, he’s resolved cases worth tens of millions, including a recent $45 million settlement. In this AlderTalk episode, Chris and I talk about: ✔️ How to grow a practice from zero through relationships and sweat equity ✔️ Why trial experience (even in criminal defense) is the best training ground ✔️ The mindset shifts that help lawyers handle pressure, setbacks, and big moments ✔️ The role gratitude and resilience play in both practice and life Chris’s journey is proof that small, consistent actions over time build the foundation for extraordinary results. Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gV7GQemf

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Creators should treat their channels like the sophisticated businesses they are - proper licensing and clearance when using third party assets, retaining control over their content, and protecting and enforcing their rights. Especially as we see more creators trying to raise money, push towards exit, or cross sell to traditional media platforms, having a clean, sophisticated IP package to take to market is critical.

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Federal jury rejects hymn copyright infringement claims, Chicken Soup for the Soul sues AI companies, and a copyright fight over an iconic Pelé photo. Article Below Sources: Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian / OregonLive.com, Edward Nawotka, Publishers Weekly, Michael McCann & Sportico #Copyright #AI #Pele #Soccer

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I used to think agentic AI was for developers and venture-backed startups. Not for a notary and legal document prep company in Port Orange, Florida. I was wrong. My co-owner (and Husband) just published a breakdown of 4 tools that are quietly changing what's possible for small businesses: → Clawhub (a directory of Claude-based AI agents) → Clawdbot / OpenClaw (build & manage agents without living in a terminal) → Moltbook (basically Reddit... but the users are AI agents learning from each other) → Claude Code (the engine underneath a lot of this) We cover what each one does, real use cases for service-based businesses, AND the stuff nobody talks about — the setup challenges, the drawbacks, the "this will slow you down" reality check. Because I'm not selling you on AI. I'm figuring it out myself and sharing what I find. Full article linked below. Drop any questions in the comments — happy to go deeper on any of these tools. #AgenticAI #SmallBusiness #ClaudeCode #AIAutomation #Entrepreneur

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Can’t we just fair use it? Such a simple question that does not have a simple answer. To start, one thing a lot of producers don’t realize is that fair use is not a permission slip. It’s a defense to copyright infringement. Meaning, even if you ultimately win on fair use, you could still receive a claim, end up in litigation, and be responsible for significant costs along the way — including your insurance deductible, which can easily be tens of thousands of dollars. And then there’s the gray area that is fair use itself. Two brilliant attorneys, both experts in fair use analysis, could have differing opinions on whether or not a specific use constituted fair use. Even if you have a solid argument for fair use, there’s no guarantee it will hold up if contested. For this, a lot of production companies and networks are hesitant to move forward with any materials under a fair use defense. Unfortunately, most documentary filmmakers don’t have a choice but to take on these risks as clearing certain materials could be cost prohibitive or impossible to source. But there are ways to reduce the risk. The best thing you can do? Involve legal early. As soon as you think a project may require a fair use analysis, send your attorney: ✅ The original source of the material (including a link, if possible) ✅ How much of the material you want to use ✅ Which specific portion you intend to include ✅ The editorial context for the use ✅ If you’re already in post, a cut or clip showing exactly how the material will appear in the episode or film Your attorney will likely have follow-up questions, but providing this information early can save substantial time, money and creative headaches later in the process. #productionlegal #unscripted #clearance #entertainmentlaw #entertainmentattorney #fairuse #documentary

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What “Work for Hire” Really Means for Creators Think you own the script you wrote? Maybe not. James breaks down how "work for hire" contracts work and why they matter so much when it comes to copyright and creative control. Click the bio link to watch the full episode. https://lnkd.in/gNeWFcWB #WorkForHire #CopyrightLaw #EntertainmentContracts #ScreenwritingTips #FilmLaw

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Can you trademark a personality? Or are we stretching trademark law to solve a problem it was never meant to fix? The news about an iconic catchphrase (https://lnkd.in/ddnuCwiy) being protected as a sound trademark is entertaining but also intriguing, not because it's flashy, but because it pushes us back to the very foundations of trademark law. At their core, trademarks are market tools. Trademarks are not protected because they are famous, creative, or recognisable. They are protected because they serve a specific legal function: to identify the commercial origin of goods or services and to help consumers distinguish one trader from another in the marketplace. Logos, names, shapes, sounds, all justified because they signal commercial origin of goods or services. That is why trademark rights are tied to use in trade, limited to specific goods and services, and vulnerable to revocation if the mark is not genuinely used for its registered purpose. This logic raises an interesting question when it comes to iconic catchphrases or distinctive ways of speaking. Are we pushing trademark law to protect something adjacent, but conceptually different? Are we still protecting a badge of origin or are we drifting into protecting identity itself? On one hand, this move makes sense in 2025. AI has changed the rules of the game - voice cloning, deepfakes, synthetic personalities. Suddenly, impersonation is cheap, scalable, and frighteningly convincing. And we need tools to respond. But the real question for IP lawyers is - is trademark law the right tool, or just the most convenient one we have? Trademark law has always tolerated evolution: from word marks, to shapes, to sounds and smells. Each step, however, has been justified by the same core rationale - market function. When that link becomes blurred, the system's internal correctives become critical: genuine use requirements, non-use cancellation, and the continuing obligation for a sign to function as an indication of origin. Are sound and personality marks a natural evolution, or a legal workaround for problems trademarks were never designed to solve? At the same time, doing nothing leaves creators and public figures exposed in an AI-driven economy where identity can be replicated in seconds. So where's the balance? Maybe the real issue isn't whether personality can be trademarked, but whether we need new legal frameworks for synthetic identity, rather than stretching trademark law until it no longer resembles itself.

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For brand owners, not every message from the “USPTO” is what it seems. A recent scam mimics official correspondence so closely that it’s fooled experienced applicants — but there are clear signs to watch for. We outline how to identify fraudulent communications and keep your IP assets safe: https://lnkd.in/ghTJTkJu #IPLaw #IPProtection #BusinessLaw #USPTO #DallasBusiness

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In today’s evolving Mediation landscape, technical skill alone is not enough. What sets successful mediators apart is clarity, positioning, and a proper growth strategy. Here are three key reasons why a One-on-One Clarity Session with Fola Alade, Esq. could be a game-changer for your career: 1️⃣ Strategic Direction: Gain clear insights into where you currently stand in your Mediation career, identify growth opportunities, and design a practical roadmap for the next phase. 2️⃣ Professional Positioning: Learn how to intentionally build visibility and credibility in the ADR space, so you can stand out, attract the right opportunities, and become top-of-mind in your field. 3️⃣ Sustainable Monetisation: Understand how to transform your Mediation practice into a sustainable and profitable venture, without losing sight of your core values and impact goals. Bonus Access Includes: * 7 hours of past webinars on building a successful Mediation career * Step-by-step guidelines on turning your practice into a revenue-generating system * Exclusive access to FMA’s Telegram platform for updates, insights, and resources * …and much more The Mediation Klinik is not just a session, it’s a clarity session designed to help you make informed, strategic, and rewarding career decisions. And we defined don't gatekeep, so you're assured to get the premium quality intervention you need. Send a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram to reserve your slot. Limited sessions available. #FotefaMediationAcademy #FolaAlade #MediationKlinik #ADRProfessionals #MediationCareer #DisputeResolution #ProfessionalDevelopment #ADRinNigeria #MediationTraining #CareerClarity

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