Liza Montesano

Liza Montesano has nearly two decades of experience as a trusted advisor and skilled negotiator, with a focus on representing clients across the entertainment industry, including in theater, film, television, literary publishing, digital media and branded partnerships.

Liza has spent more than a decade developing deep experience in the theater industry representing a diverse range of clients, from emerging talent to Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe, Olivier, Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Fellowship recipients, including actors, writers, directors, choreographers, designers, composers, lyricists, orchestrators and arrangers.

Liza’s extensive practice in the live stage industry also includes advising talent, investors, producers and nonprofit theaters on transactions throughout the life cycle of theatrical productions, including rights acquisition, development, production and other exploitation of live stage works, including Broadway, off-Broadway, regional, touring, West End and other overseas productions.

Beyond her theater practice, Liza negotiates publishing transactions on behalf of authors and public figures with major and independent publishing houses. She also represents actors, writers, directors and influencers in television, film, podcast and other audio productions, advertising campaigns, brand ambassador and endorsement arrangements, social media collaborations and for personal appearances. Liza also negotiates employment agreements for entertainment executives and talent representatives.

In addition to her transactional practice, Liza advises clients on intellectual property matters, guild and union issues, and other legal issues affecting the entertainment industry.