M. Kenneth
Suddleson

Ken Suddleson is highly regarded for his experience in all facets of the entertainment industry and related businesses worldwide, including motion pictures, television, music, and new media. Ken has represented major motion picture studios in matters such as the acquisition of film libraries and motion picture development, production, and distribution. He also has represented domestic and international major independent motion picture and television production companies, network and cable television programming producers and distributors, pay television exhibitors, program syndicators, and others involved in creating, financing, distributing, and/or exhibiting content in these media. His clients also have included corporate, technology, entertainment and e-commerce Internet ventures, and senior executives in various industries, as well as several major Japanese entertainment companies and broadcasters.

 

In the middle of his private practice, Ken was engaged as Executive Vice President, Office of the Chairman of Paramount Pictures, where he shared responsibility for the overall management of the company and its various subsidiaries. In his capacity as executive vice president, he supervised a 55-person group that negotiated and documented all motion picture transactions involving the company, and he personally conducted negotiations involving major talent and acquisitions of motion pictures, plays and other productions. Ken also analyzed and negotiated proposed domestic and foreign co-production and co-financing transactions for motion picture and television productions. Ken was directly involved in the corporate budgeting process and strategic planning process.

 

He founded, implemented, and supervised Paramount’s Fellowship Program, involving the selection and full-time employment of creative talent of candidates from seven universities and colleges. Ken participated, on behalf of Paramount, in industry union negotiations through the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers, and in industry policy and political activities through the Motion Picture Association of America (the industry trade association).

 

Ken has been an adjunct professor at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television since 1995, where he is involved in team teaching Strategic Thinking and other courses. He has spoken regularly on diverse entertainment topics such as the convergence of traditional entertainment and technology, including digital cinema and video on demand.

 

• Media & Entertainment
• Business Transactions

• EVP, Office of the Chairman of Paramount Pictures
• Adjunct professor, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television

• Super Lawyers, Southern California, 2006 — 2015
• Recognized as one of the top Entertainment & Sports attorneys in Southern California by Super Lawyers
• Featured in The Hollywood Reporters inaugural list of “100 Power Lawyers.” Ken was described by an industry insider as “The Dean of Entertainment Lawyers” and characterized as “ideally qualified and experience, and he is a gentleman.”

• Advisory Committee, Annual UCLA School of Law Entertainment Symposium