Richard Warren Rappaport, Esquire
Attorney and Counselor at Law

Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law, Media Law, Communications Law, Intellectual Property Law, Corporate Law and International Law and Trade

News and Other Events

Mr. Rappaport is a Presidential Appointee to the Board of Directors of the University of Miami Law Alumni Association for 2008-2017.

He is also a member of the steering group and a Vice Chair, Programs, of the International Trade Committee, American Bar Association Section of International Law, 2013-2017.

Mr. Rappaport's book, "Star! Finding Artistic and Commercial Success in the New Entertainment Industry," is available through ABA Publishing, Chicago.

Mr. Rappaport has volunteered to assist in raising awareness for the H.O.P.E. program (Helping Others through Pro Bono Efforts) within the Public Interest Resource Center at the University of Miami School of Law. The program provides education and direct service opportunities to law students so they may engage in legal outreach within the community for those who are most in need, such as children, the homeless or those with disabilities. Since its inception in 1998, HOPE has grown to include over 400 volunteers a year and provide much-needed support to the community.

Mr. Rappaport is a member of the Governing Board of the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries. He is also a co-chair for the Forum’s annual conferences on entertainment law, “From Hollywood to South Beach: The International Legal Symposium on the World of Music, Film, Television and Sports,” Miami Beach, 2010-2015.

Mr. Rappaport’s composition “Louisiana Way,” which he wrote and performed, was presented in the soundtrack of the CBS Television Movie of the Week, “The Madams Family: The Truth About The Canal Street Brothel.” The song was placed in nomination for consideration for an Emmy for soundtrack music within the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) in 2005. Mr. Rappaport is also a member of the Academy.

Mr. Rappaport was a guest speaker on the panel “The Business of Music,” co-sponsored by the Miami Museum of Science and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Creative Industries Committee in 2009.

Mr. Rappaport chaired the Music/Musica Advisory Board for the Music/Musica Exhibit at the Miami Museum of Science, which opened in October 2008. The exhibit is a combination of two exhibits, respectively titled “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music,” which covers the history of Latin music in the United States, and “Access All Areas,” which analyzes music and technology. Mr. Rappaport also worked closely with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) to assist the museum in bringing Latin music artists to perform at the exhibit.

Mr. Rappaport co-chaired “From Hollywood to Hollywood: EASL at the Emmys,” presented by The Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section (EASL) in Beverly Hills, California. He was also a panelist at that seminar. Mr. Rappaport and other EASL attendees and guests then attended the 2008 Emmy Awards at the Nokia Center L.A. Live in Los Angeles, hosted by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS).

Mr. Rappaport volunteered to assist the Young Friends and Families of the South Florida Science Museum in benefiting the comprehensive campaign of the museum.

Mr. Rappaport attended the Black and White Gala for the Crystal and Lucy Awards for Women in Film in Los Angeles, supporting that organization’s not-for-profit programs and to honor individuals who have helped to expand the role of women in the entertainment industry. Mr. Rappaport has also appeared as a guest breakfast speaker for Women in Film.

Mr. Rappaport attended the Daytime Entertainment Emmys Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Mr. Rappaport attended the Tico Torres Golf Classic Charity Gala and is on the Gala Committee for that event. The event raises funds for charities for children.

Mr. Rappaport co-authored “Inside Hollywood: The Reel Path to Success in the Motion Picture Industry,” which is the lead article in “Entertainment and Media Law Contract Strategies,” (Winter 2008), published by Aspatore Books, Boston. Mr. Rappaport co-authored the article with literary manager and film and television producer Dr. Kenneth J. Atchity, CEO, Atchity Entertainment International, Inc., Los Angeles, and Emily P. Graham, Esq., Law Offices, Emily P. Graham, Ft. Lauderdale.

Mr. Rappaport was a guest at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s Art for Life Gala in Palm Beach. The foundation raises funds to support arts and education programming for urban youth in New York City and elsewhere.

Mr. Rappaport co-chaired the 2008 Tenth Anniversary Annual Legal Symposium on the World of Music, Film and Television, presented by The Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida. Mr. Rappaport was also a panelist in the program. The symposium offered panels covering numerous topics on the legal and business aspects of the world of entertainment law. During the luncheon at this annual event, EASL has presented the Tom Dowd Lifetime Achievement Award to those honorees who have achieved excellence in their respective fields within the entertainment industry.

Mr. Rappaport was a guest on the television program “Hello Hollywood,” hosted by Rene’ Katz, and covered topics in film, television, music and art. Mr. Rappaport also co-produced the program with Ms. Katz. His release, “Great Rock ‘N’ Roll, was used as the soundtrack music for the show.

Mr. Rappaport is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF), and is active with the festival. Mr. Rappaport co-chaired the festival’s “FLIFF Uncorked Gala” in 2006.

Mr. Rappaport was a guest at a special annual reception at The DeSantis Center for Motion Picture Industry Studies at Florida Atlantic University, honoring icons within the film industry, who are also honored at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival.

Mr. Rappaport co-hosted the Steinway/BMI Music & Arts Showcase series at Steinway & Sons in Coral Gables, Florida. The showcase featured emerging and established artists in various music genres.

Mr. Rappaport was a guest on a special edition of the “Palm Beach Rox” radio show and discussed the motion picture, television and music industries.

Mr. Rappaport is a member of the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and a former member of that chapter’s Board of Governors.

Photo By: Lynn Parks

Mr. Rappaport created and chaired The Entertainment Alliance International, which has been a forum for the discussion of topics and issues in the world of entertainment and the arts, with speakers covering topics in film, television and music.

Mr. Rappaport is a member of The Recording Academy and The Latin Recording Academy.

Mr. Rappaport has been an attendee at The Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes), Cannes, France, and was a guest at the special reception on The Croisette hosted by Moving Pictures Magazine and The Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival.