Monroe Mann | New York Entertainment Attorney

1. I'm an incredible attorney who you'll enjoy working with because I'm not only highly competent, but also friendly, easy to talk to, and charming.

2. My fees are lower and more fair than you'll find elsewhere.

3. I'm probably the only attorney you'll find with a PhD, an MBA in finance, a Masters in Entrepreneurship, and a Masters of Laws.

4. I'm one of the few attorneys you will meet who actually practices what he practices--I'm a SAG/AFTRA/Equity actor; a successful published author, a successful feature filmmaker; a successful musician; a successful public speaker; a successful business owner; a successful not-for-profit 'business owner'; and the list goes on. Google me for more info, and check out IMDb, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube.com/monroemann, BreakDiving.org, SaveOurTappanZee.org, and the list goes on.

You see, I didn't become an attorney just so I could get clients. I became an attorney originally to manage my own career and businesses more efficiently and successfully. I am still the lead attorney on all of my own projects. And now you benefit from all of my first-hand experience.

Bottom line, I know implicitly what you are going through because... I have probably already lived through it myself. I understand my clients far better than most of my competition. That translates to a much more fun and efficient working relationship, and a far greater likelihood that we more quickly end up on the same page.

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
To me, business litigation happens in only two situations: a) the contract was poorly written with unclear terms and ambiguous language or b) one of the parties decides to breach the terms of the contract. The former can always be avoided by making sure the contract terms are clear. The latter can sometimes be avoided by making better choices of business partners, and also by making sure the contract terms are clear. Further, with clear contract terms, one can often also weed out sleazy and questionable business partners. Why? The more sleazy and questionable your business partners, the more vague and ambiguous language they will usually want, balking when you ask to get more specific terms in writing. Anyway, in answer to the question, every contract drafting or negotiation case I have worked on this year, from creating a complicated Scope of Work document with multiple Addendums to a simple contract for an actor who wants to ensure she gets a copy of the student film she is working on, is one through which I made a big difference? Why? I helped bring clarity and focus to the deals in question, and in so doing, helped drastically reduce the likelihood of lawsuits on both sides.

How did you build a successful practice?
Consistent improvements, day by day, year by year. Most of my clients are through referral, from clients I have already helped. By doing good work, a reputation is formed. I also try to offer rates that are far more affordable than the big firms, and usually more competitive than fellow sole practitioners. The key is volume. While I may not make as much per client, I end up attracting more clients because my rates are lower, and my quality remains second to none.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
A rapport. Friendliness. A true understanding of your situation, to include empathy. Honesty. A desire to help that trumps the desire to make money. Reliability. And the willingness to take the time to find the individual behind the legal matter.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
In entertainment law, and even non-profit law, geographical knowledge is not of great importance, but… knowledge and experience within the world of entertainment or non-profits is crucial. There are two reasons most lawyers do not handle entertainment and/or non profit cases: a) they have no background in entertainment and/or not-for-profit matters, and thus, no true understanding, and b) as a result, they have no connections to people in those fields. I am a great entertainment and not-for-profit attorney because I have direct front-line experience myself as an entertainer, writer, producer, actor, filmmaker, musician, etc. and because I have direct front-line experience myself starting and running two different not-for-profit corporations. With criminal law, local knowledge becomes more helpful, because in order to properly defend a case, sometimes you need to go and visit the crime scene, etc.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
I can gather some details about your case, and see if I think I am in a position to help you.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
Full name, address, phone, email, and the basic details of your case.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
For Entertainment/Contract/Not-For-Profit, I’m one of the few entertainment attorneys who is also an active entertainer himself. I know the field from all sides. For Criminal Law, I’m a former felony public defender in Westchester County, NY, so have seen multiple variations of criminal cases.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I love figuring out the precise deal points that a client needs, and drafting or negotiating a contract that is fair to both parties, protects my client’s interests, and is far more specific (and covering a wider array of issues) than the client ever expected. Perhaps the best part is the ‘thanks’ I get from clients, after providing to them high quality work at a reasonable rate.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
I spend a lot of time with the two not-for-profits I started: www.BreakDiving.org and www.SaveOurTappanZee.org. I love reading, performing improve at UCB in Manhattan, writing and performing new songs, studying foreign languages, motivational speaking, and world travel.

Are you involved in your community?
I’m the executive director of Save Our Tappan Zee, Inc., a historical advocacy organization, with the mission of preserving the Tappan Zee Bridge name, and I’m also the executive director of Break Diving, Inc., a charitable organization with one primary mission: helping individuals find success in life. I volunteer a good portion of my time at both organizations.

• Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA | Member
  Actors Equity Association | Member
  Entertainment Law & Contract CLE Instructor | AttorneyCredits.com
  Break Diving, Inc. - 501(c)(3) not for profit | Executive Director/President
  Save Our Tappan Zee, Inc. | Executive Director/Incorporator
  Actors Film School (now a part of Break Diving, Inc.) Founder
  Unstoppable Artists (now a part of Break Diving, Inc.) | Founder
  PADI | DiveMaster

• -Received a number of nominations and awards for the various films he produced, wrote, and/or directed, including one that was sold at the Cannes Film Market in France.
  -Had the music video for his song, "The Sun Is Always Shining Somewhere" picked up by MuchMusic in Canada.
  -Earned the title "# 1 best selling author" for one week on the Barnes & Noble website in the career section for his book, "Guerrilla Networking", co-written with Jay Conrad Levinson
  -Received a stellar accolade for being one of the best speakers at Wall Street English in Shanghai, China.
  -Received an award for "Ostrich Riding" in South Africa.
  -Recognized by the state of New York as the only living attorney with the name, "Monroe Mann".  :D  He may actually also be the only living person with that name as well.

• Cyberstalking
  Monroe was Opera Singer Leandra Ramm's attorney on this international cyberstalking case that resulted in Singapore changing its laws. The case received widespread international attention.

• BOOK | Battle Cries for the Hollywood Underdog | 2010
  BOOK | Start Your Own Coaching Business (Entrepreneur Press) | 2008
  BOOK | Battle Cries for the Underdog | 2006
  BOOK | Guerilla Networking, 2nd Edition | 2009 (BN.com #1 bestseller)
  BOOK | Time Zen | 2009
  BOOK | The Theatrical Juggernaut, 2nd Edition | 2007
  BOOK | To Benning and Back | 2007

• Avvo | Monroe Mann