April Hua

My focus

I focus on transactional matters for both talent and company clients across various fields, including digital content creation and licensing, intellectual property protection and enforcement, and advertising. My approach combines legal expertise with creative business solutions to help clients achieve their overarching business goals.

On the talent side, I represent influencers, actresses, musicians, visual artists, and models. I negotiate deals across the spectrum, including brand deals, attachment and shopping agreements, literary publishing agreements, appearance releases, licensing and merchandising agreements, and content distribution deals. I work in close collaboration with managers, agents, and other key members of the talent team. I strive to build and protect my clients’ brands, execute strategic partnerships, and ensure compliance with rapidly shifting laws and regulations.

On the company side, I advise and negotiate deals on behalf of digital media startups, talent management companies, and brands, including MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, production services agreements, vendor agreements, and b2b agreements.

I also counsel clients on advertising and intellectual property laws and regulations, including the FTC Endorsement Guides, FTC Truth in Advertising laws, the Lanham Act (Trademark), the Copyright Act, and fair use.

Prior to joining the firm, I practiced as an entertainment and intellectual property litigator. I leverage this experience in my current role to help clients proactively mitigate risks while structuring their deals.

Looking ahead

Content creators have more autonomy and flexibility than ever before to pursue their creative goals. Consequently, the ability to navigate new legal challenges and an ever-changing regulatory landscape remains crucial in this era of new media.

Insights

• “SAG-AFTRA Influencer Agreement and Influencer-Produced Sponsored Content Waiver: Key Provisions, New Opportunities,” Strafford Webinar, April 4, 2023
• “The Biggest Buzz in Art isn't the Artist,” Nixon Peabody Attorney Development & Retention Training Webinar, March 2, 2023
• “Navigating Fair Use: A Survey of Today’s Legal Landscape,” Nixon Peabody 2023 California MCLE Virtual Seminar, January 19, 2023