November 17, 2016

New Co-Directors Neil Ollivierra and Robert Lind Catapult Southwestern’s Biederman Institute Into New Era

Robert Lind is a Southwestern icon, renowned entertainment law expert, prolific author of preeminent texts and treatises, and a mentor and champion of students and alums alike.

Prior to his appointment at Southwestern, Professor Ollivierra served as in-house counsel to various motion picture and television studios at the highest level of business and legal affairs, including Lionsgate Entertainment (“The Hunger Games,” “The Twilight Franchise,” “Orange is the New Black,” “Mad Men”) and EuropaCorp (“Lucy,” “Taken,” “The Fifth Element,” “La Femme Nikita”).

Together, their combined expertise, experience, passion and industry affiliations all but guarantee continuing success and growth of the Institute in the spirit of its beloved namesake, Donald E. Biederman.

Professor Ollivierra, who is new to the full-time faculty, is also an accomplished software developer and musical and visual artist. He has designed complex databases for creative, legal, accounting and physical production executives at film and television studios, and with respect to his musical endeavors he has toured and recorded throughout North America, Europe and Japan. His paintings have been acquired by corporate entities and private collectors in Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Detroit.

This unique Renaissance man declares feeling “privileged and honored to join Southwestern’s esteemed faculty, which includes executives and legal counsel to the most celebrated studios, record labels, publishers, galleries, museums, law firms and talent agencies in world.” Neil humbly credits this appointment as a “testament to the quality of education received at Southwestern as well as to the many attorneys, representatives and executives with whom I’ve had the pleasure of doing business and from whom I’ve learned over the years.”

According to Professor Lind, their “prime directive is to assist Southwestern’s students and alums with externships, law firm practicums, paid internships and employment.  The ability to track the progress made by students will help us place them in rewarding positions. Tracking our alums and their positions, expertise, etc., allows us to facilitate the needs of those interested in broadening their employment portfolio.”

To that end, Professor Ollivierra – who is wrapping up his second week on campus, already has a robust proprietary database in the works.

Please join the Biederman Entertainment & Media Law Institute, and the entire Southwestern Law School family, as we warmly welcome Neil Ollivierra and Robert Lind to their new co-directorship.  Expect frequent and exciting announcements regarding the Institute’s cutting-edge curriculum, trailblazing research agenda, experiential programming, summer programs, symposia and strategic planning during their inaugural year.