About
Get to Know Rick
About Rick Morse
About Rick Morse
Rick Morse is an entertainment attorney with over 30 years of experience, primarily in film. He has served as General Counsel and production counsel across studios, finance firms, and distributors—contributing to over 35 successful film projects.
Rick Morse is an entertainment attorney with over 30 years of experience, primarily in film. He has served as General Counsel and production counsel across studios, finance firms, and distributors—contributing to over 35 successful film projects.
Career
A Peek into Rick's
Professional Career
Rick runs a solo legal practice out of Newport Beach, specializing as production counsel and executive producer for independent films. His recent work includes high-profile projects like The Gunslingers with Nicolas Cage, Tin Soldiers with Robert De Niro and Jamie Foxx, and award-winning documentaries such as Carol Doda: Topless at the Condor.
VP of Business
Studio-Level Experience at Radar Pictures
As Senior VP of Business and Legal Affairs at Radar Pictures (formerly Interscope Communications) the company responsible for such standout films as The Last Samurai, Mr. Holland’s Opus, the Bill and Ted’s, Nerds, Jumanji and Riddick franchises, Rick negotiated and drafted all legal documents during his tenure there inclusive of those involving Jumanji and Riddick, as well as acting as production counsel on numerous feature films.
VP of Business
Studio-Level Experience at Radar Pictures
As Senior VP of Business and Legal Affairs at Radar Pictures (formerly Interscope Communications) the company responsible for such standout films as The Last Samurai, Mr. Holland’s Opus, the Bill and Ted’s, Nerds, Jumanji and Riddick franchises, Rick negotiated and drafted all legal documents during his tenure there inclusive of those involving Jumanji and Riddick, as well as acting as production counsel on numerous feature films.
VP of Business
Studio-Level Experience at Radar Pictures
As Senior VP of Business and Legal Affairs at Radar Pictures (formerly Interscope Communications) the company responsible for such standout films as The Last Samurai, Mr. Holland’s Opus, the Bill and Ted’s, Nerds, Jumanji and Riddick franchises, Rick negotiated and drafted all legal documents during his tenure there inclusive of those involving Jumanji and Riddick, as well as acting as production counsel on numerous feature films.
VP of Business
Studio-Level Experience at Radar Pictures
As Senior VP of Business and Legal Affairs at Radar Pictures (formerly Interscope Communications) the company responsible for such standout films as The Last Samurai, Mr. Holland’s Opus, the Bill and Ted’s, Nerds, Jumanji and Riddick franchises, Rick negotiated and drafted all legal documents during his tenure there inclusive of those involving Jumanji and Riddick, as well as acting as production counsel on numerous feature films.
Past Experience
Finance-Savvy Legal Leadership
Rick’s background includes a decade providing specialty financing legal services on behalf of Blue Rider Finance and multiple decades as General Counsel plus managing production and production finance services for his clients’ productions. He served as General Counsel for Bauer Martinez Studios, an international distribution company and for Grand Illusions, LLC, working with multiple Oscar winning director/producer Jonathan Sanger (Mission Impossible II, Vanilla Sky, Elephant Man) where he crafted all in-house agreements, and acted as production counsel and associate producer on their cult classic film, “100 Feet” directed by Eric Red.
Past Experience
Finance-Savvy Legal Leadership
Rick’s background includes a decade providing specialty financing legal services on behalf of Blue Rider Finance and multiple decades as General Counsel plus managing production and production finance services for his clients’ productions. He served as General Counsel for Bauer Martinez Studios, an international distribution company and for Grand Illusions, LLC, working with multiple Oscar winning director/producer Jonathan Sanger (Mission Impossible II, Vanilla Sky, Elephant Man) where he crafted all in-house agreements, and acted as production counsel and associate producer on their cult classic film, “100 Feet” directed by Eric Red.
Past Experience
Finance-Savvy Legal Leadership
Rick’s background includes a decade providing specialty financing legal services on behalf of Blue Rider Finance and multiple decades as General Counsel plus managing production and production finance services for his clients’ productions. He served as General Counsel for Bauer Martinez Studios, an international distribution company and for Grand Illusions, LLC, working with multiple Oscar winning director/producer Jonathan Sanger (Mission Impossible II, Vanilla Sky, Elephant Man) where he crafted all in-house agreements, and acted as production counsel and associate producer on their cult classic film, “100 Feet” directed by Eric Red.
Past Experience
Finance-Savvy Legal Leadership
Rick’s background includes a decade providing specialty financing legal services on behalf of Blue Rider Finance and multiple decades as General Counsel plus managing production and production finance services for his clients’ productions. He served as General Counsel for Bauer Martinez Studios, an international distribution company and for Grand Illusions, LLC, working with multiple Oscar winning director/producer Jonathan Sanger (Mission Impossible II, Vanilla Sky, Elephant Man) where he crafted all in-house agreements, and acted as production counsel and associate producer on their cult classic film, “100 Feet” directed by Eric Red.
Early Career
High-Profile Clients & Groundbreaking Deals
Earlier in his career, Rick handled high-profile litigation for the entertainment and sports industries, including rights and copyright infringement for Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place, the Cotton Club RICO case, and the exclusive NBA animation rights action. As General Counsel for digital content innovator, iMedia International, he managed legal for a joint venture with Sony Signatures Network, the leader in music merchandise, plus marketing for the studios, professional sports and many of the top recording artists. In the music industry, Rick represented stars like Rick James and T-Pain, was asked to review a contract involving the Rolling Stones and served legends such as Milton Berle and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Client-first approach.
Custom contracts that protect creative freedom.
Early Career
High-Profile Clients & Groundbreaking Deals
Earlier in his career, Rick handled high-profile litigation for the entertainment and sports industries, including rights and copyright infringement for Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place, the Cotton Club RICO case, and the exclusive NBA animation rights action. As General Counsel for digital content innovator, iMedia International, he managed legal for a joint venture with Sony Signatures Network, the leader in music merchandise, plus marketing for the studios, professional sports and many of the top recording artists. In the music industry, Rick represented stars like Rick James and T-Pain, was asked to review a contract involving the Rolling Stones and served legends such as Milton Berle and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Client-first approach.
Custom contracts that protect creative freedom.
Early Career
High-Profile Clients & Groundbreaking Deals
Earlier in his career, Rick handled high-profile litigation for the entertainment and sports industries, including rights and copyright infringement for Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place, the Cotton Club RICO case, and the exclusive NBA animation rights action. As General Counsel for digital content innovator, iMedia International, he managed legal for a joint venture with Sony Signatures Network, the leader in music merchandise, plus marketing for the studios, professional sports and many of the top recording artists. In the music industry, Rick represented stars like Rick James and T-Pain, was asked to review a contract involving the Rolling Stones and served legends such as Milton Berle and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Early Career
High-Profile Clients & Groundbreaking Deals
Earlier in his career, Rick handled high-profile litigation for the entertainment and sports industries, including rights and copyright infringement for Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place, the Cotton Club RICO case, and the exclusive NBA animation rights action. As General Counsel for digital content innovator, iMedia International, he managed legal for a joint venture with Sony Signatures Network, the leader in music merchandise, plus marketing for the studios, professional sports and many of the top recording artists. In the music industry, Rick represented stars like Rick James and T-Pain, was asked to review a contract involving the Rolling Stones and served legends such as Milton Berle and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Client-first approach.
Custom contracts that protect creative freedom.
Education
Rick's Education
Elite Academic Foundation
Rick earned his BA in Psychology with honors from UC Berkeley and his JD from UC Hastings College of Law. He was appointed to the Communications and Entertainment Law Review and collaborated with Presidential Special Counsel Roscoe Barrow to draft advisory opinions for the White House.
Mentored by Legends, Teaching the Next
Under the tutelage of two Supreme Court justices, a Secretary of State, and the UN ambassador, Rick honed his skills in entertainment law with the guidance of Beatles attorney Neil Bornstein. He later imparted his knowledge teaching CLE classes for UC Davis and the University of Houston, frequently contributed his legal expertise to The Hollywood Reporter, and addressed both USC Communications graduates and the American Trial Lawyers Association. Today, he mentors emerging producers.
<<< Rick at Cannes Film Festival
Past Clients
Some Familiar Faces
Here are some of Rick’s most high-profile clients and collaborators from across the entertainment industry.
Here are some of Rick’s most high-profile clients and collaborators from across the entertainment industry.
About Landin
In His Personal Life
Adrenaline-Fueled Beginnings
In his youth, Rick was a sponsored skateboarder, competing in the First International Skateboard Competition against legendary Dogtown and Hobie crews. He later took his thrill-seeking spirit to the mountains, skiing extreme terrain in Squaw Valley.
Island Time & Ocean Views
After years of big-wave surfing in Hawaii, Rick now spends his downtime capturing underwater life with his GoPro. He lives in Dana Point with his wife, Janis, balancing his legal career with ocean adventures.
Work With Rick
Each Project Deserves
Expert Legal Care.
Ready to move forward? Let’s protect your vision with tailored legal guidance built for the entertainment industry.
Work With Rick
Each Project Deserves
Expert Legal Care.
Ready to move forward? Let’s protect your vision with tailored legal guidance built for the entertainment industry.
Work With Rick
Each Project, Our
Design is Great.
Ready to move forward? Let’s protect your vision with tailored legal guidance built for the entertainment industry.
Work With Rick
Each Project Deserves
Expert Legal Care.
Ready to move forward? Let’s protect your vision with tailored legal guidance built for the entertainment industry.