CATHIE SAADEH | ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY
CATHIE SAADEH | ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY
If you have a story to tell, a million things need to happen to bring it to life. This is where I come in.
INTRODUCTION
I’m Cathie, and this is my story.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved a good story — I was the kid leaving the library with a teetering stack of books, the one who had already seen every movie at the theater.
Stories are powerful. Whether told through a book, film, painting, or song, stories allow us to step into a different life, a different time, a different world. They educate us, entertain us, and change us. The best ones carry us away.
Simply put, I am an attorney who supports storytellers. Through my law practice, I work with filmmakers and creative businesses on a wide range of contract, intellectual property, and business law matters. Whether it be setting up a new company, negotiating an agreement for underlying rights, preparing production documents, or talking through potential options to handle a sticky situation, I help my clients protect their work, navigate and overcome challenges, and most importantly, nurture and develop their stories.
Professional Experience
- Founder and Principal, Saadeh P.C. (2018 – present)
- Women in Film & Video (President 2020 – 2021; President Ex Officio 2021 – 2023)
- Adjunct Instructor, American University School of Communications (2021 – 2023)
- Partner and General Counsel, ACA Compliance Group (2009 – 2018)
- Journalist, financial services industry (2002 – 2009)
- Attorney, financial services industry (1994 – 2002)
- Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center (2000 – 2001)
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., 1994
- The George Washington University, B.A., 1991
Bar Admissions
- California
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- New York
- Virginia
Elevating — and protecting — your story.
You are a filmmaker, an artist, a creative — and like it or not, you are also a business person. Potential partners will evaluate you not only on your vision and skills, but also, on whether they feel that they can reasonably do business with you.
I enjoy helping storytellers, entrepreneurs, and creative businesses comply with the law, manage their risks, and efficiently meet their commercial and creative objectives.
Recent projects include:
- Legal support for filmmakers and production companies, from development to distribution
- Entity formation and LLC operating agreements
- Co-production agreements
- Shopping agreements
- Attachment agreements
- Director, producer, performer, and crew agreements
- Film finance agreements / SEC Reg D offerings
- Sales agent and distribution agreements
- Option agreements
- Life rights agreements
- Location agreements
- Clearance reviews
- Fair use analysis
- Copyright license and transfer agreements
- Copyright and trademark registrations
- Executive employment agreements
- NDAs
- Customer service agreements
- Vendor / contractor agreements
- Outside general counsel support
I am focused on helping every one of my clients achieve professional success so they can continue creating great stories for all of us to enjoy.

CATHIE SAADEH
CONTACT
Let’s get your story out there.
Reach out using the form below, or call / text Cathie at (301) 842-6020.

4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814 (by appointment only)
(301) 842-6020
© 2023 Saadeh P.C. All rights reserved.Attorney advertising. Privacy
Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814 (by appointment only)
(301) 842-6020
© 2021 Saadeh P.C. All rights reserved.
Attorney advertising.
Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.