CHRISTINE-MARIE LAUTURE

Intellectual Property and Entertainment Attorney
Owner and Managing Attorney of Lauture IP, PLLC
christine-marie@lautureip.com

Interview

• Where are you originally from?
  Long Island, New York

• Where do you currently reside?
  Long Island, New York

• What prompted you to get into the entertainment industry?
  Since I was a child, I have always been heavily involved in the arts: various types of dance and teaching choreography, soccer and track, playing the violin and piano, and even a brief stint as a child actor. I also have a large family full of creatives. Witnessing certain obstacles they've faced and wanting to be a part of positive change on the legal side of the industry, I felt it was my destiny to fulfill my passion of protecting and serving the very spaces and communities that helped nurture my creativity. After pursuing my legal education with a focus in intellectual property, media, and information law, and later servicing a wide-scale of clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, I realized that IP remains a foreign area of law for most creatives and business owners. Because IP continues to be an ever-evolving area of law and looking to help translate its respective IP vernacular, I founded Lauture IP to bridge the knowledge gap.
  

• Please outline the services you provide for clients and any specialties.
  My practice focuses heavily on trademark and copyright enforcement, prosecution, maintenance, and licensing. I counsel creatives and companies across all industries on how to develop and protect a distinct brand identity to help your business stand out. As brands grow and evolve, we are here to guide you at every stage, counseling on trademark clearance, identifying possible barriers, monitoring for counterfeits, and maximizing the value of trademark rights. I also counsel clients on the myriad of changes that affect copyright law as it involves new technology, as well as social media and other digital matters. I also draft, review, advise, and negotiate various contracts related to the business affairs of the entertainment industries.

• What type of clients do you typically represent? What factors do you consider when deciding which clients to take on?
  I represent creative individuals, entrepreneurs, small and mid-sized businesses, ranging in various entertainment, digital media, fashion, beauty, and tech-related industries. The factors involved in choosing each client varies on a case-by-case basis, depending on each individual/company's needs and where they are in their respective practices.

• What is one thing people would be surprised to know about your profession? What is one of the biggest misconceptions?

  The legal side of the industry is not as glamorous as it may seem. Intellectual property and entertainment law are also very broad in spectrum, so many professionals may have very different niche areas to their practices. A major misconception is the idea that all attorneys are cold-blooded or are not as invested in the creative processes of their clients. I thoroughly believe in the visions and businesses that each of my clients pursue and I'm happy to not only be an advisor, but a trusted teammate.

• What are some challenges or obstacles you have faced as an African-American in this profession?
  Starting out as a relatively young Black woman in this profession, there have been many times where I've felt immersed in biases and discrimination, and felt hopeless in navigating through many acts of microaggressions. Learning how to resiliently maintain my confidence, allow my work and integrity shine through, and continue to be an advocate for my clients and mentor to those navigating their own paths, have been fulfilling.

• What do you think can be done to improve diversity with regards to representation?
  It's really quite simple: hire diverse candidates. For those in positions of power and with access to certain opportunities, make referrals to diverse candidates and be a resource. Platforms such as Diverse Representation continue to do the much needed work and create accessible communities to solve the diversity issues we continue to face. Not only are there direct contacts to diverse professionals in various roles in the industry, Diverse Representation provides excellent programming, mentorship opportunities, and now a portal to give even more access for those creative and entertainment professionals seeking representation. And as more senior professionals, folks need to be invested and committed to reaching back to students and younger professionals to be mentors and active resources - at every level.

• What advice would you have for other African-Americans looking to enter this profession?
  Be intentional in everything you do! Do good work, stay involved, and don't ever be too afraid to ask for help or guidance. Seek out genuine relationships to build mentorship, advocates, and sponsors that will be vital in your professional growth as you create your own path. Be flexible and open-minded. Sometimes that ideal opportunity for you (based on your unique interests and skills) may not even exist at your respective outset. The entertainment and sports industries are ever-evolving, which personally is what keeps our work so exciting.

• What is the best way for people to get in touch with you?
  People can reach me via email: christine-marie@lautureip.com, and can connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter: @LautureIP