Danielle Van Lier

I have worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade, spending most of my career at the Screen Actors Guild, now SAG-AFTRA, where I am currently employed as Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property and Contracts. In that context, I am responsible for managing SAG-AFTRA's trademarks and other intellectual property as well as overseeing third party contracts. My responsibilities used to include enforcement of the various SAG collective bargaining agreements but not as much anymore. I am involved in litigation and other efforts aimed at protecting the rights of SAG-AFTRA and its members, however. Over the last few years, I have co-authored several amicus curiae briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit, and the California Supreme Court on issues that affect performers, such as right of publicity, copyright, and the California Talent Agencies Act. A list of some of my briefs is forthcoming, with links where available.

Before joining Screen Actors Guild, I practiced law in Los Angeles dealing with corporate and intellectual property issues, and was also involved in a variety of litigation activities. I worked with independent production companies and Internet ventures. While in law school, I served as a Legislative Fellow in the United States House of Representatives (forCongressman Berman) where I worked on a number of subjects, including intellectual property, the Internet, immigration, and international and judicial issues. In 2000, I helped found, and still serve on the board of directors of, Saving Wildlife International, a nonprofit wildlife education company that brings its Animal Ambassadors to classrooms and events throughout the Los Angeles area.

I received my J.D. from Washington University School of Law, in St. Louis, Missouri, where I also completed substantial coursework toward a Masters of Arts degree in East Asian Studies. I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Japanese Language, Literature, and Cultural Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara, havelived in Japan, and am somewhat conversant in the Japanese language. I play hockey and am an avid L.A. Kings fan.