Charles H. Gardner to Establish New Social Media Practice at Much Shelist, Attorney and Former Media Executive Draws on Deep Experience in Entertainment and New Media Law

CHICAGO—Dec. 1, 2011—Chicago-based law firm Much Shelist recently announced the addition of attorney Charles H. Gardner, most recently with Harpo Studios, Inc., as Special Counsel in the firm's Intellectual Property & Technology group and head of its new Social Media Law practice.

Having served as a media executive, in-house counsel and a litigator, Gardner has broad experience in technology, social media, business and intellectual property matters, with a particular eye toward navigating the legal challenges and opportunities arising from the intersection of new media technology with traditional business issues.

"The challenge for most companies is that they see social media as a revolution, rather than an evolution—something to be feared, rather than embraced," said Gardner. "Our mission is to counsel clients on how they can seamlessly and successfully integrate social media into their business model, and to help the law keep pace with technology."

"The social media explosion has legal ramifications across today's business landscape—from intellectual property and employment matters to regulatory compliance and privacy issues,” said James M. Kunick, Chair of the Intellectual Property & Technology group at Much Shelist. "Charles and the other attorneys in this multidisciplinary practice have the experience and foresight to help our clients identify, understand and navigate the unique set of opportunities and risks presented to businesses by the fast-moving phenomenon of social media."

Gardner holds a J.D. degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining Much Shelist, he was Director, Legal and Business Affairs & Senior Attorney at Harpo Studios, Inc. in Chicago. Earlier in his career, Gardner served as a Senior Associate at Bennett & Erdman in Los Angeles, as Business & Legal Affairs Counsel at Warner Bros./Telepictures in Burbank, and as a Litigation Associate at Harrington, Foxx, Dubrow and Canter in Los Angeles. Prior to entering law school, Gardner spent nearly a decade working in the entertainment industry, where he garnered more than 50 national television production credits.