Michael Tenzer Law

Michael Tenzer is an experienced and respected attorney, having worked for broadcast and cable networks, independent production companies, a talent agency and a management/production company over the last 25 years.

 

Prior to entering private practice, Tenzer served as Senior Vice President, Business Affairs and Deputy General Counsel for Comedy Central from 2009-2014, having joined from International Creative Management (ICM), a major talent and literary agency.  In his capacity at Comedy Central, he was the co-head of the department, supervising business and legal affairs for all of the network’s programming, including Workaholics, Key & Peele, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, @Midnight, South Park and Tosh.0, as well as its digital content on various platforms, such as CC.Com.

 

At ICM Tenzer was Head of Television Businesses Affairs, responsible for all aspects of the agency’s television business including the negotiation of license and distribution/co-financing arrangements on behalf of content creators and a variety of talent deals for writers, actors, directors, authors, hosts and independent producers. During his 10 years at ICM, he was involved in participation audit settlements, the negotiation of life story, book and screenplay option/purchase agreements, as well as licensing, merchandising and sponsorship deals.  In addition, Tenzer worked with the International Television Department representing foreign production companies, such as All 3 Media and Nippon Television, and licensing their formats to US networks.  

 

Before joining ICM, Tenzer held several positions at NBC, including Senior Vice President, Business Affairs and Administration, as well as serving as a creative executive for NBC's Movies & Mini-Series, responsible for the development and production of more than 40 hours of television, including the Emmy Award winning "Miss Rose White" television movie.  He also served as Vice President of Business Affairs for Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, handling business affairs for the series' The Sopranos, The Larry Sanders Show and NewsRadio, among others.

 

Tenzer practiced general business law and civil litigation in Beverly Hills, and produced Equity-Waiver Theater in downtown Los Angeles before getting his first job in the entertainment industry working for Dick Clark Productions. When not saving the world for television, Tenzer, the married father of three, actively tries to persuade his children to follow their passions.