Partner
Doug Murray is a partner at Taylor Oballa Murray Leyland LLP, practising in the areas of film, television, new media and music law. Doug acts for a wide variety of film, TV and new media producers, financiers, distributors, agents, artists, writers, directors, actors and musicians.
Doug has extensive experience representing film financiers and acting as production legal counsel, including handling rights acquisitions, international co-pro agreements, broadcast and distribution deals, performer agreements, production financing, tax credit optimization and E&O insurance reviews for a long list of feature films and TV series.
A working actor who used TV and film roles to help pay his way through law school, Doug began his legal career as a trial lawyer in Toronto, “acting” for clients in the courtrooms while fitting in acting jobs and, at night, performing sketch and improv comedy. In 2002, with some of the producers, directors and actors he’s worked with as his first clients, Doug launched his entertainment law practice and hasn’t looked back.
Doug’s unique perspective on “the business” has been a great asset for his clients, allowing him to more quickly understand what each side wants/needs, to keep creative momentum flowing and to get deals done.
Occasionally still getting into the courtroom, Doug successfully acted as co-counsel for the defendants in Wiseau Studio, LLC et al v. Harper et al, Canada’s leading case on copyright infringement, fair dealing and misappropriation of personality in the context of documentary film. Doug is also a contributing writer to Playback and Broadcast magazines.
Education:
University of Toronto (LL.B., 1992)
York University (B.A. Honours 1989)
Boards/Committees:
Canadian Comedy Foundation for Excellence
ACTRA NCA Negotiation Committee 2008-2009)
ACTRA Agency Agreement Committee (2004)