Ed Klaris, Managing Partner
edward.klaris@klarislaw.com
With his 25 years in the media and entertainment sector, Ed is a recognized expert on intellectual property, privacy, and media law and has extensive experience building revenue from content and other IP. His clients turn to him to be outside general counsel, for specific matters, and to handle issues through settlement or litigation. Ed started Klaris Law in 2014 when he saw a need for a true boutique firm, with flexible pricing, providing deep knowledge in a complicated sector.
Before Klaris Law, Ed was Senior Vice President, Intellectual Property Assets & Rights, at Condé Nast for more than eight years, where he transformed print magazines, photos, and articles into vibrant digital archives, film and TV projects, international branded franchises, and licensed product lines that have produced millions in net profit. Ed conducted business in 28 countries worldwide and was responsible for vetting potential partners, negotiating joint venture and license agreements, and launching and overseeing diverse branded businesses. Ed also led business affairs for all 18 Condé Nast brands and the company’s entertainment division, including movie and TV deals, rights-in and rights-out agreements, and all contracts related to production, talent, partnerships, advertising, and joint marketing.
Prior to this, Ed served as General Counsel for The New Yorker from 2000-2006; he was media counsel at ABC, Inc. from 1997-2000, and a litigator at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP from 1992-1997.
Ed is currently an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Law School where he has taught a seminar on media law, commercial speech, privacy and intellectual property since 2005. He is on the Communications Law committee at the New York City Bar and a member of the MLRC. He speaks at events around the country and periodically publishes articles. Ed is a former chair of the New York State Bar Committee on Communications Law, and was Chairman of the Board of Pilobolus Dance Theater for 13 years.
Ed graduated from Vassar College in 1988 with Honors in English and Italian and where he was selected for Phi Beta Kappa. He has his J.D. from Cardozo School of Law in New York, where he was the Editor-in- Chief of the Arts & Entertainment Law Journal. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
Susan Jacobson, Counsel
susan.jacobson@klarislaw.com
Susan Jacobson focuses her practice on all areas of trademark, copyright, trade dress and internet law. She has significant experience in advising clients on selection, clearance, registration and enforcement of trademarks in the United States and internationally. She has managed world-wide trademark portfolios of billion-dollar retailers. Susan also has supervised oppositions, cancellation proceedings, litigation in federal courts nationwide and in many foreign jurisdictions.
Susan has worked with companies ranging from start-ups to those in the Fortune 500, spanning retail, hospitality and restaurants, beauty, pharmaceutical, financial services, lifestyle/consumer products and luxury goods.
Susan has created a curriculum that she has presented to designers, graphic artists and executives covering guidelines for trademark and copyright issues.
Susan conducts IP Audits and has extensive experience in handling due diligence for the sale or acquisition of a business.
Susan resides with her husband in New York City where she is the president of her coop board.
Alexia Bedat, Associate
alexia.bedat@klarislaw.com
Alexia focuses her practice on content review; media law; privacy; Internet law; advertising; fair use, and virtual and augmented reality technologies.
Prior to joining Klaris Law, Alexia worked as a law clerk at BuzzFeed, where she supported the news team. She has also worked with law firms specializing in media law in both London and Paris.
Having obtained her law degree from the University of Cambridge in the UK, Alexia moved to New York to pursue her career in the United States and completed an LL.M. at Columbia Law School. There, she focused on First Amendment litigation, advertising, copyright and the right of publicity. At Columbia, Alexia worked as a teaching assistant at both the Law School and Journalism School and did pro bono work at Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
Alexia is a dual citizen (Swiss/American) and grew up in Geneva, where she spoke French at home. She is a member of several Media Law Resource Center Committees and currently serving as vice-chair of the Pre-Publication/Pre- Broadcast committee.
Georgann M. Callaghan, Paralegal
Georgann focuses on intellectual property portfolios for fashion, retail and the consumer goods industry and has counseled clients on branding as well as trademark development and protection. She has worked extensively with foreign associates to identify issues and implement anti-counterfeiting protocols. Georgann monitors industry developments and current trends to advise clients on best practices.
Georgann began her legal career working at a boutique medical misconduct law firm. She was instrumental in strategic and organizational planning in building the firm. She created business development and client relationship models and implemented all aspects of law office practices and procedures.
Georgann is the Chairperson of the Judicial Advisory Qualifications Committee for the Village of Scarsdale and volunteers as judge/mediator for the Pace University Law School First Year Moot Court Competitions.