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)
• Adjunct Instructor, American University School of Communications (Media Enterprise I, Spring 2021)
• President, Board of Directors, Women in Film & Video (member 2019 – present)
• Member and Volunteer, Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (2019 – present)
• 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