LEGAL COACH

Corky Kessler is a “one stop shop” lawyer for the entertainment industry. In 2017 and 2019, Corky was named top entertainment lawyer in the United States. Corky has successfully worked with governors and US congressmen in several states to implement new laws and federal tax incentives for investment in qualifying film and television projects, which led to Section 181 and Section 199 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Corky has also been actively involved in the application of Section 168 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which was signed into law December 2017 and became active January 2018. Section 168 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act outlined the new incentives for film, television, and theater for five years. He has authored a reference book covering such federal and state tax incentives.

Corky is active in establishing and advising various film funds and film funding sources in North America and is expanding internationally. In October 2012, Corky signed a Memorandum of Understanding with private investors from China for a $200 million co-production deal with the US.

Corky has represented several authors and negotiated publishing deal with several major publishers, including Random House, and Doubleday. He has assembled and built winning teams for more than 30 entertainment and other business ventures. Corky has developed, packaged, and executive produced over 20 feature films including The Sum of Us starring Russell Crowe, which won the Australian Academy Award for Best Film, Human Capital starring Marisa Tomei and Live Schreiber, and Certifiably Jonathan starring Jonathan Winters, Robin Williams, Howie Mandel, Rob Reiner, Jim Carey, Sara Silverman, and others. 

Corky Kessler is admitted to practice in Illinois, US District Court for the Northern District, Member of the Trial Bar of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Member of the American Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.

Speaking engagements, panel discussions and seminars throughout North America and China include:

• 2014 - 2020: Sundance Film Festival, Park City, UT: Speaking engagements; moderated panel discussions on women’s issues in film.
• 2015 – 2020: Cannes Film Festival, France: Moderated six industry panels live streamed worldwide.
• 2013 – 2016: Toronto Film Festival, Canada: Moderated six industry panels live streamed worldwide.
• April 2019: Honored with the Producer Choice Award for Lifetime Achievement as Best Entertainment Attorney and Executive Producer
• April 2015: Speaker on panel at China US Summit, Los Angeles, CA.
• September 2014: Toronto Film Festival, Canada: Legal Finance; moderated panel discussion filmed and live streamed worldwide.
• April 28, 2014: Featured speaker at the China US Summit at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel.
• October 13-20, 2012: Professionals Abroad, Beijing, China: Lead a small delegation of entertainment industry professionals to meet with members of the Chinese entertainment industry, including funding sources, production and distribution companies, casting directors, producers, screenwriters, talent agents and members of government film departments.
• April 2011: Beijing International Film Festival, China: Invited by the Chinese government to be a participant in multiple film panels throughout the festival.