Rasmussen recognized at Counsel of the Year Awards

Rasmussen recognized in AMEC's public service category - By Gilien Silsby Dean Robert K. Rasmussen was recently honored by the Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel (AMEC) at the 5th Annual Counsel of the Year Awards in West Hollywood. Rasmussen was recognized in the public service category for launching USC Law's innovative Entertainment Law Program, headed by John Schulman, a former Warner Bros. executive. "I am deeply honored to be recognized by the AMEC," Rasmussen said. "We are excited about our new Entertainment Law program, and it's wonderful to be acknowledged for the hard work we've put into the program." The AMEC is the leading trade association serving general counsel and business affairs attorneys. Founded in 2005, the Media and Entertainment Counsel of the Year Awards are the only awards designed to honor attorneys who are part of the leadership at the major global media and entertainment companies. This year's awards were presented at a gala luncheon held at the legendary House of Blues in West Hollywood. In addition to Rasmussen, several other entertainment industry leaders were recognized, including Michael Fricklas of Viacom, who was named Counsel of the Year."We are proud to announce this year's winners, who represent the best of the best," says Peter Winkler of PricewaterhouseCoopers and one of the founders of AMEC. "The awards recognize the tremendous talent and contributions each of these professionals make to their companies and to their overall industry.  On behalf of AMEC, its founders and the advisory board members, we extend heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners." Schulman, who retired from Warner Bros. last year after serving as executive vice president and general counsel for 25 years, will launch USC Law's Entertainment Law program in fall 2010 for J.D. students interested in specializing in entertainment law. The program will combine law, business and entertainment classes. In addition to the law school, courses will be offered at the USC's School of Cinematic Arts and Marshall School of Business. "I hope to create a program that will give students practical information about the entertainment law world. The goal is for USC Law students to graduate with more context and perspective in the field of entertainment," Schulman said. Recruiting Schulman to USC Law is a major coup, Rasmussen said. "There is no more accomplished lawyer in the entertainment industry than John Schulman," Rasmussen said. "USC Law is fortunate to have John take the leadership in developing and enhancing our entertainment law program. I am confident that with John's vision, we will have a program that is second to none."