Darrell D. Miller

Miller left performing arts at the height of his musical theater career to become an entertainment lawyer. After touring with several national production companies, Miller was in the midst of an international tour when he had an epiphany.

"I thought about not just being a performer, but how I could actually be more responsible for creating or initiating these kinds of amazing cultural experiences," he said. "I began investigating law in regards to entertainment, with the idea of how influential I could be if I understood the contract, how to make and negotiate the contract."

He had already gained a deep understanding of the business side of the entertainment industry while serving as a union representative, helping actors on tour negotiate contracts and resolve disputes.

These days, Miller focuses on transactional law with an emphasis on the motion picture, television, music, theater and multimedia industries. He is the founding chair of Fox Rothschild's Entertainment & Sports Law Department.

His diverse client roster includes actors Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Teyonah Parris and Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges. Luke Cage creator Cheo Hodari Coker, comedian Taylor Tomlinson, musicians Chris Robinson and Salt-N-Pepa are also within his clientele along with entertainment executives.

Recently, Miller brokered the unprecedented, multiyear content partnership between the NAACP and CBS TV Studios. Under the deal, the two organizations will collaborate to produce original content for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. The partnership aims to elevate a diverse range of voices and increase the visibility of black artists.

"I'm particularly proud of this one because it's really a groundbreaking deal that unites two brands to create a real promise of shaping images in ways that have never been done before," he said.

Miller, an outspoken proponent of the need for diversity within the entertainment industry, said systemic change has started to occur, albeit slowly.

"Change starts with consciousness - a recognition that change is needed," he said. "I think the environment we're in, this concept of protests around Black Lives Matter, means that the message has been heard, and it's reverberating."

"The NAACP deal has never been done in the history of Hollywood - a social justice organization partnering with a legitimate, bona fide powerhouse in the business," he added. "The partnership will actually do things to shape images and educate others about black and brown people. That is fundamental change."

-- Jennifer Chung Klam