Charles Gardner

Charles Gardner

Much Shelist, PC
  • Communications & Internet Law, Entertainment & Sports Law, Intellectual Property
  • California, District of Columbia, Illinois, New York
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Biography

Charles H. Gardner serves as Special Counsel in the Intellectual Property & Technology group and head of the firm's social media practice. With extensive experience as a media executive, in-house counsel and litigator, Charles represents a broad range of clients on technology, social media, business and intellectual property matters, with a particular eye toward navigating the legal challenges and opportunities arising from the intersection of new media technology with traditional business issues.
In addition to a focus on traditional business law and intellectual property protection, Charles works with clients to develop and document policies, create and implement procedures and programs, and conduct compliance audits related to the use of the Internet, new media and social media technologies and to stay on top of the ever-evolving regulations and best practices.

Charles has significant experience negotiating and drafting agreements that cover software licenses, Internet services, content sharing and advertising, as well as retail agreements involving e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores. He advises clients on employment issues, including the development and implementation of legal and practical policies that minimize liability relating to a company's employment practices and the activities of its employees at and outside of work.

As an experienced trial and appellate attorney, Charles handles intellectual property and media-related disputes; tort and other types of claims (including defamation, invasion of privacy and misappropriation of names or likenesses claims); and FCC/FTC regulations and compliance. Drawing on his extensive network in the legal and entertainment industries, Charles offers clients an insider's perspective on the business, economic and regulatory issues they face every day.

Practice Areas
    Communications & Internet Law
    Internet Law, Media & Advertising, Telecommunications Law
    Entertainment & Sports Law
    Intellectual Property
Additional Practice Area
  • Social Media and New Media Law
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
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District of Columbia
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Illinois
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New York
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Professional Experience
Special Counsel, Intellectual Property Group and Head of Social Media Practice
Much Shelist, PC
- Current
Privacy, Social Media, Entertainment and Intellectual Property Counsel. Head of social media practice group. Frequent CLE lecturer and writer.
Director of Legal and Business Affairs and Senior Attorney
Harpo Studios, Inc.
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Director of business and legal affairs for Harpo and Oprah Radio, Oprah.com, company retail (on-line and brick and mortar), and television production and development (including union negotiations and collective bargaining agreements).
Senior Associate
Bennett & Erdman
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Senior associate at civil litigation and transactional law firm. Argued successfully to have a California law struck down as un-constitutional (against the California Constitution).
Business and Legal Affairs Counsel
Warner Bros./Telepictures
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Business and legal affairs counsel to busy reality television production company. Programs includes "The Bachelor", "The Bachelorette", "High School Reunion", "Trista and Ryan's Wedding", and "The Real Gilligan's Island".
Litigation Associate
Harrington, Foxx, Dubrow & Canter
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Litigation associate at busy downtown Los Angeles law firm. Managed heavy caseload and complex litigation.
Production Counsel
Freelance Television Production (Legal)
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Production Counsel for reality television series "The Mole" and "Rivals".
Production Supervisor, Post Production Supervisor, Script Supervisor, Stage Manager and others
Freelance Television Production (Non-legal)
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Freelance television production/executive. Over 50 national credits. Recipient of two Emmy awards.
Education
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
J.D. (2000) | Law
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Activities: Staff Writer, Entertainment Law Review
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University of California - Berkeley
B.A. | Liberal Arts
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Honors: Departmental Award (1987) for Technical Theatre (Department of Dramatic Art)
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Awards
Emmy Award
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Emmy Award
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Professional Associations
Chicago Bar Association
Member
- Current
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American Inns of Court, Chicago-Lincoln Chapter
Master of the Bench
- Current
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Illinois State Bar
Member
- Current
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New York State Bar
Member
- Current
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District of Columbia
Member (Inactive)
- Current
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American Bar Association
Member
- Current
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California State Bar
Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Law Firms Adapt to Changing Social Media World
Chicago Lawyer Magazine
Social Media and the Law: simple How-To Navigation (starts at page 44)
Developments Magazine
SOPA and PIPA: It's Not Over
Electronic Design Magazine
Electronically Stored Information, Social Media and the Rules of Professional Conduct
The National Law Review
Lawyer Goes From Harpo to Much Shelist to lead social media practice
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Contact & Map
Much Shelist P.C.
191 N. Wacker Dr.
18th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: (312) 521-2762
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