Thomas J. Dover

t: 

818.488.8156

f: 

818.332.4205

e: 

tjd@eclipsegrp.com

Office Address: 

6345 Balboa Boulevard
Suite 325, Building II
Encino, CA 91316

Thomas_Dover_bio2011.pdf

With over twenty-five years of experience, Thomas is an acknowledged expert providing cutting-edge legal strategies focused in the areas of celebrity talent representation, digital rights management, new media, and entertainment law, both in the US and internationally. 

Thomas has extensive experience in new technologies, and how they have reshaped both content and branding.  In the late 1990s, he was among the first attorneys pioneering the direct distribution of music via platforms such as iTunes and Napster, leading the way for a revolution in the entertainment industry.  He is now assisting his clients in navigating the evolution of online video, as conventional television and film merge with the internet to create the next generation in media.

Thomas’ achievements on behalf of his clients include negotiating over 100 new media (gaming content) licenses; more than 250 entertainment brand licenses; and over 1,500 advertising (Talent & Production Services) agreements.  He has served as General Counsel for three new media and consumer products companies, directing their international business negotiations and relationships.

Thomas’ prior experience includes serving as Agent and Division Director for Ford Models, the world’s largest model talent agency during his tenure.  As an agent, manager or attorney, he negotiated hundreds of significant supermodel, athlete, and celebrity endorsements.  He also served as VP of Business Affairs and General Counsel for Playhut, managing business strategy, new media development, intellectual property, and licensing for the US/China consumer electronic, media and play environment company.  He was VP of Product Management and Business Affairs at BandMerch/AEG Live, and as VP of Legal/Business Affairs at LPE, Inc./TwistedHumor, where he guided the internet media and marketing firm’s content delivery and advertising efforts during a time of heavy litigation and pending legislative efforts.

Thomas lectures widely on entertainment topics and serves as an adjunct professor of law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in the popular entertainment curriculum; “Celebrity, Advertising and New Media” and “Celebrity Management and Representation.” 

He received his B.A. in political science & speech/communications from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and his J.D. from the Southwestern University School of Law.  He holds an LL.M. in entertainment and media law from Southwestern University School of Law, with an emphasis on licensing and advertising.