KM&M has expanded its entertainment practice with the addition of Dan Stone as a partner in the firm's Los Angeles office. Stone brings more than 16 years of experience across entertainment, media, technology, sports, and labor and employment law, providing the firm with enhanced capabilities in navigating the complex legal landscape of modern entertainment industries. His appointment signals KM&M's strategic response to the rapid transformation occurring within the entertainment sector, where legal challenges increasingly intersect with technological innovation and evolving labor dynamics.
Stone's practice encompasses a broad range of entertainment law matters, including intellectual property protection, contract disputes, rights of publicity and privacy, labor and employment issues, and compliance under California's Talent Agencies Act. His client roster spans the creative and corporate spectrum, from artists, producers, and content owners to major studios and global corporations. He also serves as a trusted advisor to executives and founders of emerging digital and entertainment companies, guiding them through complex negotiations, partnerships, and disputes that blend innovation and creative rights. This dual focus on traditional entertainment and digital ventures positions KM&M to better serve clients operating across both established and emerging market segments.
The addition of Stone represents a strategic move for KM&M as the entertainment industry undergoes rapid transformation. His background includes serving as a partner at Greenberg Glusker, where he represented both plaintiffs and defendants in all stages of litigation and dispute resolution, including trials and appeals. His previous role as Assistant General Counsel at the Directors Guild of America provided him with extensive experience negotiating and interpreting collective bargaining agreements and advising on pension and health plan matters affecting thousands of entertainment professionals. This deep labor law expertise is particularly valuable as entertainment companies grapple with workforce classification issues, union negotiations, and compliance with evolving employment regulations.
Bill Zuckerman, KM&M's Managing Partner and Entertainment Group Leader, emphasized the significance of Stone's dual expertise, stating that his combination of entertainment industry experience and labor law experience makes him an exceptional addition to the team. Zuckerman noted that Stone brings not only deep legal knowledge but also firsthand insight into how creative and business decisions intersect in the fast-evolving industry. This perspective is crucial for vendors serving the HR industry, as it highlights the growing importance of legal expertise in managing the intersection of creative talent, corporate structures, and employment relationships.
Stone's thought leadership has been featured in prominent publications including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Variety, where he has provided commentary on legal and labor developments shaping Hollywood. His unique perspective is further informed by his early career experience in television development as Director of Development for a studio-affiliated production company, giving him practical understanding of the creative process from both legal and production standpoints. This background enables him to anticipate legal issues before they arise and develop proactive strategies for clients.
The move comes as entertainment companies face increasingly complex legal challenges related to digital content distribution, emerging technologies, and evolving labor relationships. Stone's appointment strengthens KM&M's ability to serve clients navigating these changes while maintaining the firm's commitment to combining large-firm expertise with boutique firm flexibility and personal service. For HR vendors, this development underscores the growing demand for specialized legal services that address the unique challenges of entertainment industry employment, including talent representation, contract negotiations, and compliance with industry-specific regulations. As entertainment continues to converge with technology and traditional employment models evolve, firms like KM&M that can offer integrated expertise across entertainment, labor, and digital law will be increasingly positioned to meet client needs in this dynamic sector.
