Dixon Dern Renewed as Outside Legal Counsel for Television Academy
The respected attorney will continue to represent the Television Academy and the Television Academy across a broad range of interests, as he has done for more than three decades.
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today that is has extended the services of its general counsel Dixon Q. Dern for another three years. Dern has represented the Television Academy and its Foundation in legal matters and business affairs negotiations for more than three decades, including oversight of licensing the Primetime Emmy telecast, establishment of the organization's Hall of Fame and Television Academy Honors events, and numerous trade and copyright issues.
During this time, Dern has also handled legal matters for the Television Academy Foundation, its educational outreach programs and its Archive of American Television historic preservation program. Dern was recognized by the Television Academy in 2009 with its Syd Cassyd Founders Award for his many years of service as an active member of the Academy and as its counsel.
"There is no one better than Dixon to handle the business and legal affairs of the Television Academy," noted Academy Chairman and CEO John Shaffner. "He is dedicated to all the best interests of the many professions that comprise our membership trade organization. We are fortunate to be able to extend his services."
"Dixon has an encyclopedic knowledge not just of entertainment business law, but of the television and entertainment industry as a whole," added Jerry Petry, Chairman of the Television Academy Foundation. "His knowledge base and services are invaluable."
Early in his career, Dern served as in-house counsel for various entertainment companies; he subsequently established a private practice in Los Angeles.
For several decades, Dern has specialized in entertainment and related matters for individuals, as well as production and distribution companies for film, television and new media. Dern also acts as a mediator and an arbitrator in both labor and commercial matters, and has served as a neutral arbitrator on the Producers/Writers Guild of America and Producers/Directors Guild of America panels, and on the Independent Film & Television Alliance (American Film Market) Arbitration panel.
He currently serves on the American Arbitration Association's (AAA) Roster of Neutral Arbitrators and on its Roster of Mediators.