Overview

Douglas R. Stone, partner and chair of the entertainment practice, represents actors, writers, directors and individual producers. In addition to the representation of talent clients, he has extensive experience working with production companies, financiers and distributors. Doug also works with entrepreneurs in the film and television industries to assist in the building of their businesses. He is frequently recognized as a leading transactional entertainment lawyer, and he has been honored by The Hollywood Reporter on its “Power Lawyers: Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys” list for many years.

Doug has been operating at the center of the Los Angeles entertainment scene for more than 30 years, and he has an extensive understanding of the industry and its many players. His insights, instincts and relationships result in outstanding dealmaking and offer confidence to his clients, who rely on him to further their careers. 

Doug is a highly sought-after transactional entertainment attorney, particularly for his depth of experience in:

  • Negotiating talent agreements
  • Producing and packaging feature film projects
  • Selling distribution rights
  • Building new film and television ventures

Doug has represented numerous films for the sale of distribution rights, both in his capacity as attorney and on behalf of Traction Media, LLC, a film production and sales company he co-founded. Traction Media was responsible for the sale of scores of films and the production of numerous films, including the Sundance film Hard Candy and the SXSW Film Festival Grand Jury and Audience Award-winning film Short Term 12, on which Doug served as an executive producer. 

Doug received a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University and his J.D. from the Berkeley Law School, University of California, Berkeley. He was the founding partner of the boutique entertainment law firm Stone, Genow, Smelkinson, Binder & Christopher, LLP, and until 2019, he was the firm’s managing partner.

Doug is a former member of the board of directors of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and served as president of the board for several years. 

Results

Doug’s experience includes close work on a variety of significant film and television projects. A sampling of matters includes his representation of:

  • Daniel Craig in acting deals for his five movies playing James Bond and his involvement in the reported $469 million deal for two sequels to Knives Out.
  • Dean Devlin, writer, director and producer, in connection with Independence Day, Stargate and The Patriot. Doug also works with Devlin’s Electric Entertainment, and he has worked on Leverage; its reboot, Leverage: Redemption; The Librarians; Almost Paradise; and The Ark.
  • Gemma Arterton in acting deals for Culprits, Funny Woman, The King’s Man and Quantum of Solace.
  • John Jacobs, film and television producer, and his production company, Smart Entertainment, in numerous projects.
  • Jordan Calloway in acting deals for Black Lightning, Fire Country and numerous other projects.
  • Juan José Campanella, director, writer and producer, in connection with the sale of the U.S. rights to the Academy Award-winning film The Secret in Their Eyes. He also represented Campanella in director deals for Colony and numerous other projects.
  • Nazanin Boniadi in acting deals for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Homeland, Hotel Mumbai, Counterpart and A Mosquito in the Ear.
  • Paul Bernard and James Scura in their first-look deal.
  • Sam Claflin in acting deals for Daisy Jones & The Six, The Hunger Games, Me Before You and Barbaric.

Insights

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Awards and Recognition

Awards and Recognition

"US Elite - Los Angeles, Media and Entertainment," Legal 500, 2026

“Power Lawyers: Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys” The Hollywood Reporter, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2026 

“Dealmakers Impact Report 2021: Top Negotiators Behind Mega Deals,” Variety, 2021

Leadership and Community

Member, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Former member and president of the board, Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Education

University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, J.D.

Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, B.S.

Admissions

  • California

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