Hollywood legal powerhouse Craig Emanuel, this year's Honoree, discusses his legal legacy, tackling antisemitism, and his mission to 'lead from strength'.
In a career marked by perseverance and resilience, Craig Emanuel has carved out a significant niche for himself in the entertainment industry.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Emanuel's professional trajectory was not straightforward. After a stint of traveling, he enrolled at Monash University, where he wrote a thesis on taxation in the Australian film industry. His research contributed to the creation of tax incentives for the country's film industry.
In 1985, Emanuel moved to Los Angeles with the intention of applying his newfound knowledge in the entertainment industry. However, he had no plan, no visa to work, and few connections in the city. Screen International editor Elspeth Tavares helped secure him a place to stay during his brief California foray in 1980.
Emanuel's early years in Hollywood were far from easy. He worked as a waiter in a restaurant, drove a graveyard shift as a limo driver, and played piano three nights a week at Chaya Brasserie. His first significant client was Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
As his clientele grew, so did his influence. Today, he represents a diverse array of rising and established filmmakers from all over the world, including Egyptian, Israeli, Palestinian, and Iranian artists. His clientele includes super-showrunner Ryan Murphy, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, MSG Entertainment, writer-producer Tony Gilroy, Mandalay Pictures, Cirque du Soleil, and Paul Hogan.
Emanuel's journey in the industry was not without challenges. He landed work on a Roger Corman film, making $20 a day to complete tasks ranging from script rewrites to casting. Despite these humble beginnings, he made it a point to leave no meeting without getting a referral to someone else and started building a network.
Nigel Sinclair, an influential entertainment attorney-turned-producing mogul, offered Emanuel a position, sponsored him for a visa, and paid for him to study for the California State Bar. Edward Rubin, then-partner at formidable entertainment firm Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, didn't have a job to offer Emanuel but gave him the names of 10 lawyers to write to.
Emanuel's hard work and dedication paid off. He heads the entertainment and media division at Paul Hastings, a global law firm. He is also the 2023 Power of Law honoree by Variety.
Beyond his professional achievements, Emanuel is an active human rights activist. He is involved with organisations like the Black Jewish Entertainment Alliance, the March on Washington Film Festival, and the Faith and Politics Institute. He serves as legal counsel to the Sundance Institute and volunteers with Chrysalis, a charity providing jobs and clothing.
Despite his success, Emanuel remains grounded. He believes in leading with strengths in his professional pitch and struggles with self-doubt, as he did during his early years in Hollywood. However, he learned to overcome these doubts and has never looked back.
In a career spanning four decades, Emanuel has represented high-profile talent like Julie Delpy, Jennifer Beals, Clive Davis, and Cathy Schulman. His journey is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of one's dreams.
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