Law firm KM&M has announced the addition of Kevin D. Ellman as Of Counsel in its entertainment labor practice. Ellman brings over twenty years of experience in labor relations and business and legal affairs from prominent media companies, including Paramount Global and The Walt Disney Company. His appointment signals KM&M's commitment to providing integrated counsel that aligns labor strategy with business objectives and legal risk management for clients in the rapidly evolving entertainment sector.
Ellman's background includes serving as Senior Vice President of Labor Relations at Paramount Media Networks, where he oversaw labor relations and developed strategy across traditional and digital platforms, studio operations, and corporate facilities. He has negotiated collective bargaining agreements, resolved union grievances, and led management responses to union organizing efforts. His previous roles also include Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs at Viacom Media Networks and Vice President of Business Affairs at Disney/ABC Television Group, where he managed legal matters for global entertainment franchises.
The implications of this hiring are significant for entertainment industry clients facing complex labor challenges. Ellman's experience spans animated and live-action content for television, streaming, and theatrical release; content licensing and distribution; commercials and social media campaigns; consumer products; live entertainment such as concert tours and theme park attractions; podcast production; video games; music composition and distribution; employment of minors; and the application of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence in media. This breadth of knowledge positions KM&M to address multifaceted issues at the intersection of labor law, business operations, and technological innovation.
Bill Zuckerman, KM&M's Managing Partner and Entertainment Group Leader, stated that Ellman's executive-level experience provides a unique perspective valuable to clients, combining understanding of legal frameworks with operational realities facing media companies. For more information about the firm, visit https://www.kmm.com. Founded over fifty years ago, KM&M represents businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups and non-profits in labor, employment, and immigration matters, emphasizing large-firm expertise with boutique flexibility.
Ellman's addition enhances KM&M's ability to guide clients through industry transformations, including shifts toward streaming, digital content creation, and the integration of AI. His hands-on leadership in business and legal affairs, shaped by years of executive decision-making, offers clients strategic counsel that balances labor relations with commercial goals. This move underscores the growing importance of specialized legal expertise in entertainment labor as companies navigate union negotiations, emerging technologies, and cross-platform content distribution in a competitive landscape.
