The June meeting took place on Wednesday, June 7, in the BHBA Boardroom.
The meeting minutes are set forth below.

In attendance:

Michael Cerrati mcerrati@gmail.com
Judith Dornstein jdornstein@adelphia.net 
Gordon Firemark gfiremark@firemark.com
Pamela Forster pamelaforster@earthlink.net
Eric Harbert eharbert@stroock.com
Leigh Leshner venturepub@aol.com
Susan Rabin srabin@spattorney.com)
Caroline Raufi caroline@hydeparkentertainment.com  [via telephone]
Marissa Román mroman@akingump.com
Joseph Schleimer schleimerlaw@msn.com 
Greg Slewitt gslewett@sheppardmullin.com
Mark Staenberg mstaenberg@bhba.org

The meeting was CALLED TO ORDER at approximately 8:35 AM.
Marissa Román served as chairperson of the meeting. Caroline Raufi served as co-chairperson of the meeting.
There was no READING OF THE MINUTES of the last meeting.
* * *
PRELIMINARY MATTERS
The meeting began with an Ex Comm discussion about modifying the current BHBA program flyer format for e-mail blasts and hard copies so that the new format would list upcoming programs (title and date) in a vertical column on the right side of the flyer. The purpose of such a change is to better promote upcoming programs. Pamela will contact Yuri Motruk about this proposed change.
* * *
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Next, the Ex Comm discussed upcoming programs.

JUNE 21, 2006
Susan Rabin and Judith Dornstein are organizing the June program: "You May Already be Famous: Developments in Rights of Publicity." Speaking from the artist perspective and companies or studios using talent identities, the program will address the value of rights and how to manage these rights (whether the person is alive or deceased) and litigation issues, with Bela Lugosi, Jr. giving an overview of the law. It will be a good program for both litigation and transactional attorneys. The IP Section will co-sponsor (on a non-revenue sharing basis) the program. Confirmed panelists are: Jeremy Williams, Warner Brothers; Lawrence Heller (Defense side); Thomas White, a consultant/expert witness who represents the estates of celebrities; and Bela Lugosi, Jr. of O’Brien Zarian. Susan will moderate the program.

Marissa Román reminded Judith and Susan that Pamela Weston needs to receive the printed materials (and speaker bios if they are to be included) at least one (1) week prior to the program date. Susan to check on the status of the Speaker bios and confirm whether the program will be Webcast in its entirety or all except the Perfect Storm film clip. Susan will e-mail Yuri Motruk, with a conformed copy (cc) to Marissa, Caroline, and Pamela as soon as she confirms exactly which audio/visual materials will be Web cast.

JULY 19, 2006
David Bortman and Miles Feldman will organize the July program, which will address video game publisher trends by such players as Electronic Arts (EA), the largest video game publisher, to develop games based on film titles. The Hollywood Reporter’s new publisher Tony Uphoff will moderate the program. Confirmed panelists are: David Freeman, The Freeman Group (Game Designer/Writer Consultant); Dan Offner, Managing Partner, Offner & Anderson; and Philippe Erwin, Collision Studios (leading developer of entertainment-based games across multiple platforms). David and Miles still need to secure a lawyer, ideally from Electronic Arts or Activision.
Signed releases for re-print permission for the Michael Cerrati/Vanderbilt Law School article should be provided to David and Miles with a cc to Marissa, Caroline, and Pamela regarding status. David and Miles to coordinate any audio-visuals (such as slides or screen shots from games) with Yuri Motruk. David and Miles to e-mail the list of panelists, program title, and brief program description to Pamela Weston ASAP, with a cc Marissa, Caroline, and Pamela.

AUGUST 9, 2006
Greg Slewitt will organize a program on Branded Entertainment. Shaun Clark, a partner in the Entertainment and Media Practice Group at Sheppard Mullin, will moderate. So far, Jordan Yospe (former counsel to Mark Burnett Productions) and Gil Goldschein, Esq., Senior VP, Business and Legal Affairs, Bunim/Murray are confirmed panelists. Other program details TBD. Marissa reminded Greg to e-mail Pamela Weston (as soon as possible) the list of panelists, program title, and brief program description, with a cc to Marissa, Caroline, and Pamela.

SEPTEMBER 20. 2006
Joe Schleimer will organize the September program on the nuts and bolts of entertainment litigation for non-litigators, which will include a discussion about the use of private investigators. Joe approached the Litigation Section about program co-sponsorship. So far, Robert Chapman is a confirmed panelist. Other panelists and further program details TBD. Marissa asked Joe to do his best to finalize program details by the end of July.

OCTOBER 2006
Miles Feldman will organize the October program. Program topic and further details TBD.
* * *
OTHER MATTERS:
Next, the Ex Comm discussed other matters of concern.

USC Law School/Beverly Hills Bar Association Joint Entertainment Law Symposium
Next, Judith gave the Ex Comm an update on the BHBA/USC Symposium to be held on September 9, 2006. The planning committee had their final meeting. This year's symposium will cover a range of topics with a focus on new media and new technology and how to maximize revenue from new media, and will include a discussion of Guild topics. Ethics and litigation panels will also be included. Judith said the committee is looking for two (2) representatives for the Syllabus Committee (involves collecting of the materials, etc.). Michael Cerrrati and Leigh Leshner expressed interest. Marc asks that those persons interested in volunteering send him an e-mail with contact information, which he will forward to USC's Assistant Dean.

Southwestern Law School/Beverly Hills Bar Association Joint Entertainment Law Symposium
The upcoming Southwestern Law School/Beverly Hills Bar Association joint Entertainment Law Symposium will be held in mid-April 2007 (exact date TBD). The participants from Southwestern Law School are David Kohler and Lon Sobel. The program topics have an international theme and will address the global marketplace; talent immigration and tax issues in the global market; and new technologies. The planning committee will have their third meeting via teleconference on June 15.

Next IP Section Program

Susan Pollyea was not in attendance but informed the Ex Comm (via Gordon Firemark) that July 27 is the next IP section program. The program will address IP issues raised by social networking sites. The adult entertainment program will be moved to the fall.

Next Year's Executive Committee Officers (October 2006 through September 2007 period)

Anyone interested in the Secretary position for next year should e-mail Marissa and Caroline, with a cc to Pamela. Marissa noted that Miles Feldman has already expressed interest in the position.

CLOSING COMMENTS

First, Marc Staenberg announced that the BHBA is looking for a new home.

Next, Marc commended the ELS for being a BHBA leader in terms of program success, revenue, and attendance. Marc praised the ELS for being a model section. He informed the Ex Comm that margins are shrinking as the result of increased costs (mainly associated with venue) and, consequently, there may be a program fee increase to compensate. Marc informed the Ex Comm that the BHBA is always open to potential new venues to house the BHBA's programs, but cautioned any suggestions involving hotel venues would likely raise parking issues; Lawry's provides free parking, which has been a major perk.

One suggestion, Marc mentioned, that could increase the margins would be to include longer programs. The Ex Comm discussed the viability of Saturday half/day programs (historically low in attendance) and evening programs (e.g. 6:00 - 8:00 or 9:00 pm); the Ex Comm concurred that the latter would likely prove more profitable since such programs are less likely to interfere with personal time or the "work" day. Pamela suggested the BHBA survey the ELS membership to find out member preference for program days/times. Gordon mentioned the Zoomerang Survey. Judith suggested including some smaller "brown bag" programs held at the BHBA.

Finally, Leigh Leshner volunteered to be liaison to the Barristers Section to ensure proper coordination of programs with the ELS.

* * *
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting ADJOURNED at approximately 9:25 a.m.
* * *
FUTURE EX. COMM. MEETINGS
Due to the July 4th holiday, the July meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2006, one (1) week later than the regular meeting date of the first Wednesday of the month.

There will be no August Ex Comm meeting, though there will be an August program.

The September Ex Comm meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 6, the regular meeting date of the first Wednesday of the month.