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Giancarla Sambo

Giancarla Sambo

Top entertainment attorney focusing on media contracts, IP, and pageant law
  • Entertainment & Sports Law
  • District of Columbia, New York, Puerto Rico
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Biography

I am Giancarla Sambo, a distinguished entertainment sector attorney focusing on media contracts, intellectual property, and legal compliance. With over 15 years of experience, I have successfully negotiated and managed thousands of entertainment, fashion, and luxury agreements, including talent, production, licensing, and distribution deals.

My unique role as a pageant attorney sets me apart. In this capacity, I have collaborated with high-profile organizations, advising on contracts, brand protection, and compliance within the pageant industry. As the former Executive Director of The Miss America Opportunity and State Board President of Miss Puerto Rico, I was pivotal in overseeing operations, securing sponsorships, and managing contracts for events broadcast to millions. My work in the pageant space underscores my ability to handle complex agreements and safeguard the rights of contestants and organizations.

My background as a former media personality further enhances my practice. This background gives me a distinct understanding of the entertainment landscape and how to align legal strategy with creative and business objectives. I have collaborated with top brands such as AT&T, Disney, and Google. I have also advised on significant events like the Essence Festival and Afropunk, offering tailored legal solutions that mitigate risk and drive success.

Fluent in English and Spanish, I serve a diverse, global client base, guiding them through cross-border legal challenges. I am committed to staying informed about industry trends and legal developments to ensure my clients receive the most current and effective strategies.

Recognized as Lawyer of the Year in 2022 and 2023, I am known for my comprehensive legal approach, combining entertainment law with my experience in pageantry to provide clients with unmatched legal insight and support in both mainstream and niche sectors.

Practice Area
Entertainment & Sports Law
Video Conferencing
  • FaceTime
  • Google Meet
  • Zoom
  • Microsoft Teams
  • WhatsApp
Fees
  • Free Consultation
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
District of Columbia
District of Columbia Bar
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New York
New York State Office of Court Administration
ID Number: 5675103
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Puerto Rico
Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico
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9th Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • French: Spoken, Written
  • Italian: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Entertainment Attorney (Contracts)
Legal Services
- Current
Media & Entertainment Attorney
Essence Communications, Inc.
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Attorney Support and Marketing Associate
Law Offices
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National Executive Director | State (Territory) Board - President & Attorney
The Miss America Opportunity - Puerto Rico chapter
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Entertainment and Corporate Counsel
Solo Practitioner
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Legislative Assistant
Puerto Rico Senate
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Summer position
Education
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law
J.D. | Concentration in Contracts
Highest-ranked ABA-accredited law school in Puerto Rico. Studies in legal common law and civil law system.
Honors: Academic excellence in Private International Law
Activities: American Bar Association, member; National Association of Law Students (Asociación Nacional de Estudiantes de Derecho-ANED), member; Class Council, Publicity Director (2L); Puerto Rico Senate, Legislative Assistant (Summer 2L), concurrent employment in broadcasting (1L).
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law Logo
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
LL.M. | Entertainment & New Media Law
Courses included Copyright Law, Trademark Law, Motion Pictures: Finance and Production Seminar, Television Programming and Production Financing, Trade Secret Law, International Entertainment Law, Introduction to Immigration Law, Internet Law, Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes, and Legal Drafting.
Honors: Academic excellence merit-based scholarship, Loyola Law School; Entertainment & Sports Industries Forum Award, American Bar Association
Activities: American Bar Association, member; International Students Association, member; La Raza de Loyola, member; National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) - Deposition Skills Program, staff; USC Gould School of Law and Beverly Hills Bar Association - Institute on Entertainment Law and Business, attendee; The National Jurist magazine, student representative.
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New York University
M.A. | Broadcast Journalism
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Fordham University
B.A. | Media Studies and Sociology
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Awards
Lifetime Achievement honoree
Top 100 Lawyers
Most Influential Attorneys in North America
Issued by Top 100 Lawyers - The Magazine Jun 2023
Attorney of the Year (2022 & 2023)
Top 100 Lawyers
Who's Who in American Law 2020 - 2021
Marquis Who's Who
Recognition for years of community service & pro-bono work
Renace Condado
Faces of Loyola Law School
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Academic Excellence Award
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Entertainment & Sports Industries Forum Scholarship Award
American Bar Association
Professional Associations
FEME - Female Executives in Media & Entertainment
Member
- Current
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New York State Bar
Member
- Current
Activities: Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section Member; Task Force on the US Territories Member; Committee on Media Law Member
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District of Columbia Bar
Member
- Current
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American Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries member (2003 - 2012; 2023 - Present)
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Puerto Rico Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico)
Member
- Current
Activities: 2006 - 2016; 2022 - Present
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Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
Member
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Speaking Engagements
Craft Winning Sponsorship Requests, Virtual Presentation
Pageantry 101, The Legal Side of Pageantry: CONTRACTS, Virtual
Rams Helping Rams Class of 2020. Alumni Q+A, Giancarla Sambo - Entertainment Executive specializing in on-air production and talent representation
Certifications
Fashion Law Summer Intensive Program a.k.a Fashion Law Bootcamp
Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School
NYSBA Trial Academy: Trial Techniques
New York State Bar Association
Latham & Watkins - Intellectual Property Litigation Job Simulation
Forage
Inside LVMH
LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE)
Music Modernization Act: Negotiating Artist Contracts
University of Puerto Rico
Practice-Ready Certification on Lexis Advance
LexisNexis
Advanced Topics in Copyright and IP Law
University of Puerto Rico
Realities about Internet Privacy
Puerto Rico Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico)
Proficiency in Employment Law
Thomson Reuters
Proficiency in Research
Thomson Reuters
Proficiency in Citations
Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD)
Websites & Blogs
Website
GiancarlaSambo.com
Blog
Giancarla Sambo, Esq.
Contact & Map
Giancarla Sambo, Esq.
521 5th Avenue
17th Floor - Suite 1700
New York, NY 10175-0038
Telephone: (646) 960-9935
Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: Call for more information.
Avenida de Diego
San Juan, PR 00911