But with a client roster that includes Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez and Francis Ford Coppola, Hirsch’s profile remains among the highest in the profession.
After 50-plus years in practice (his first client was Raquel Welch), Hirsch still got excited about finding a U.S. distributor for producer Thomas Langmann's little film The Artist. "We had a black-and-white silent movie that we all knew was great, but we had to make sure the buyer knew that," he notes of the eventual best picture Oscar winner. "We chose Harvey [Weinstein] because we knew he would put it across to the Academy and get it noticed." The fierce negotiator and licensed therapist (he married client Julia Roberts to Danny Moder in 2004) says the two careers complement each other. "I understand human behavior through my studies in psychology," he says, helping secure innovative deals for such clients as Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Sofia Coppola.
Mr. Hirsch obtained his J.D. at the University of Southern California after completing 2-½ years at the University of California, Los Angeles. Mr. Hirsch also obtained an M.A. in Behavioral Science from Azusa Pacific University, and is a licensed marriage, family and child counselor.
While attending the U.S.C. School of Law he won the Nathan Burkan Competition for the best article on copyright law. He is co-author of the leading article on literary titles, “Piracy and Privilege in Literary Titles”. He has practiced principally in the area of entertainment law since graduation from law school and has guest lectured on the subject of entertainment law. Mr. Hirsch became a member of Armstrong Hirsch in 1980, and started the new firm Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman in August of 2004.
He received the 1996 Torch of Liberty Award from the ACLU, Entertainment Lawyer of the Year from the Beverly Hills Bar Association in 2007 and has served on many charitable boards including Shakespeare, L.A. and the ACLU.
His present practice includes the representation of actors, actresses, directors, writers and producers in motion pictures, television and on the legitimate stage. Mr. Hirsch is also a member of the New York Bar.
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