Meet the NMR Staff

Art Neill

Founder / Executive Director

Joined NMR in: 

October 2005

art@newmediarights.org

Art is the founder of New Media Rights, and practices public interest law in the areas of internet, intellectual property, privacy, and media law. He writes about legal issues for creators and small businesses as a Contributor at Forbes.

Art is also a professor at California Western School of Law teaching the courses Internet & Social Media Law (primarily focused on Internet, Intellectual Property, licensing, and online publishing law) as well as an Internet & Media Law Clinic.

In 2011, 2013, and 2015 Art was appointed as a member of the Federal Communication Commission's Consumer Advisory Committee, where he served as Co-chair of the Broadband Working Group.  In 2014, Art was named to the Fastcase 50, which honors the law's smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries, & leaders.

Click here to learn more about Art, including publications, interviews, and presentations.

Shaun Spalding

Assistant Director

Joined NMR in: 

June 2010

Shaun Spalding is an intellectual property attorney with an eye for business development specializing in digital entertainment transactions, licensing, and Youtube.

 

Shaun has represented a handful of the top-40 most watched and most subscribed to Youtube channels in the world. As a lecturer and online video course creator, over 10,000 students have enrolled in his courses. The LAGD: Legal Assistance for Game Developers video series which he developed, directed, and produced with New Media Rights has over 350,000 views and counting.

Before making contracts and online courses his main hobbies, Shaun worked as a commercial video producer making brand-integrated videos for companies like SWISS Airlines, Sharp Television, and Henkel.

Click here to learn more about Shaun, including publications, interviews, and presentations.

Erika Lee

Fellow

Joined NMR in: 

May 2015

Erika is a post-bar fellow with New Media Rights. During law school, Erika worked for New Media Rights as an intern and student fellow before spending a semester in Los Angeles working in the business and legal affairs department of Shout! Factory, a multi-platform media company.

Erika received her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. While obtaining her undergraduate degree, Erika worked for four years in the marketing department of a large performing arts center in Madison, Wisconsin, where she assisted in programming projects and events that engaged local communities with the arts, and promoted national Broadway and non-Broadway touring productions. During law school, Erika developed a strong interest in copyright law and new media from her classes, her work outside the classroom, as well as the influence of her friends who are pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.

Awaiting the results of the July administration of the California Bar Exam, Erika has returned to San Diego to continue her work with New Media Rights in intellectual property, privacy, and media law.

Sarah Borrelli

Legal Intern

Joined NMR in: 

May 2017

Sarah earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology- Archaeology and Master of Education degrees from University of Montana. After teaching elementary school for two years, Sarah chose to pursue her JD at California Western School of Law.

She is an avid sports fan and is interested in pursuing a career in sports law and intellectual property. She is an active member of Entertainment and Sports Law Society, as well as the Student Intellectual Property Law Association as California Western. She is excited to help fledgling artists and entrepreneurs realize their dreams.

Zachary Avina

Legal Intern

Joined NMR in: 

September 2017

A California native, Zach attended college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ask him about it and he will say that it was quite an adventure. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management, with a minor in Psychology from Philadelphia University in 2015. He made his way back to California for law school and plans to make this move permanent.

Currently he is in his third and final year of law school at California Western School of Law, getting a concentration in Labor and Employment law. His other legal interests are intellectual property (because he is kind of a writing/”creativity” nerd) and privacy law. 

On a more personal note, Zach enjoys travel (though it has been limited thus far) and, of course, the more-than-occasional Netflix binge to decompress from law school life. He is eager to begin formal, legal practice here in San Diego.

Brigitte Ann Castro

Intern

Joined NMR in: 

January 2018
Brigitte received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Cultures Studies and Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine. After working at a personal injury law firm in Orange County, Brigitte moved to San Diego to attend California Western School of Law. As a second-year law student, Brigitte wishes to learn more about the practice areas of both property law and intellectual property law. She is also passionate about helping those in need and has volunteered at the Center for Community Solutions, a nonprofit agency for those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Brigitte is an active participant in the legal community and is President of Public Interest Law Foundation, Treasurer for Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, and Student Representative for the Filipino-American Lawyers of San Diego. In her free time, Brigitte enjoys reading, playing video games, and getting into her zen mode by listening to Queen and Lana Del Rey.

Claudette Villicana

Intern

Joined NMR in: 

January 2018
Claudette received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science at California State University Fullerton. After finishing her undergrad in her hometown of Orange County, Claudette moved to San Diego to attend California Western School of Law. As a 3L, she is looking forward to graduating this Spring 2018 with a Business Law concentration. Claudette joined New Media Rights to further develop her passion for intellectual property. In addition to her work and studies, she also competes on her school’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) team and is the President of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. In her free time, Claudette enjoys hanging out with her German Shepherd Kemper, reading, and shopping.

Nicholas Aliquo

Intern

Joined NMR in: 

January 2018
Nick, originally from Boston, Massachusetts, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Spanish at Syracuse University in upstate New York. After finishing his undergrad, Nick moved to San Diego to attend California Western School of Law. Currently in his second year of law school, Nick hopes to learn more about business law and the entertainment industry. He is passionate about women’s rights and equality and wants to combine that passion with his interest in the entertainment field. In addition to his work and studies, Nick is also the American Bar Association student representative and secretary of Phi Alpha Delta, Law Fraternity. In his free time, Nick enjoys reading, staying active, cooking and listening to music.

Catherine Ghipriel

Intern

Joined NMR in: 

January 2018
Catherine received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Law and Society, from the University of California, Riverside. Catherine became very interested in intellectual property law after working with an app developer, beta-testing several apps, and learning about contract law. Catherine is a second-year student at California Western School of Law. She is excited to work with all different types of entrepreneurs, artists, and app developers. Her goal is to help artists, entrepreneurs, app developers, authors and all other creators protect their unique creations so they can share their creations with others without any restrains. In her free time, Catherine enjoys spending time with her family and friends, planning her wedding, and teaching Sunday School at her local church.

Tyler Reddy

Intern

Joined NMR in: 

January 2018

Tyler is originally from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and moved to San Diego, California to attend California Western School of Law. Before attending California Western School of Law, Tyler worked for the Colorado Avalanche (National Hockey League) and the Denver Nuggets (National Basketball Association) under the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment umbrella in Denver, Colorado. Tyler worked directly with both the front-office executives and the professional athletes of their respective franchises, handling player and community relations programs and events.

Tyler received his Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management and a concurrent Minor in Business Administration from Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. During his four year at Towson University, Tyler also served as one of the captains of the Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Now during his second year of law school, Tyler is looking forward to specializing in fields such as business law, sport law, and intellectual property. He currently serves as California Western School of Law’s Student Bar Association, Alumni Representative. After law school he aspires to represent professional athletes. Outside of school and New Media Rights, Tyler enjoys exploring beautiful San Diego, traveling, and relaxing with his friends.

See the NMR Staff Archives

Learn about our legal services for: App Developers, Artists & Graphic Designers, Bloggers & Journalists, Clothing Designers, Entrepreneurs, E-commerce Business People & Startups, Filmmakers & YouTube creators, Game Developers, Internet users & Smartphone users, Makers, Musicians, Non-Profits, Photographers, Scholars, Researchers, and Writers and Publishers.