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March 19 - 25, 2006 | |
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Mark Pedowitz, president of Touchstone Television, admits that being in the right place at the opportune time had much to do with his work with major Hollywood studios.
Now 26 years later, Pedowitz, as president of Touchstone Television, is responsible for the day-to-day creative and business operations of the studio that produces three of the top 10 programs, "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost."
He also serves as executive vice president of ABC Entertainment Television Group, overseeing all business, legal, financial and administrative affairs for ABC Primetime and Touchstone Television, as well as the business and legal affairs of ABC Daytime.
When he graduated from The John Marshall Law School in 1978, Pedowitz went west because of the weather, not a job opportunity. He started his career "earning $6-an-hour by Universal Studios reviewing documents in an anti-trust case the studio was a non-party subpoenaed witness in," he remembers.
That experience opened the door to other opportunities that Pedowitz admits he never could have imagined. "It's been a great ride and a great opportunity."
During his presentation at "The Art of the Deal" program Feb. 23, Pedowitz told students that his job is to manage creative people. He calls himself the "air traffic controller" of the business. "I keep things moving. I have a staff on the creative side and the production side and legal side and financial side. If things stop, they crash so the goal is to keep moving and my job is to make sure they all keep moving with a minimal amount of glitches."
He is also known as a smart negotiator. That, however, is not a skill he learned in law school.
"Life is a bunch of negotiations, not just corporate but on the outside. You may have leverage. Know how to use your leverage and act like you don't have leverage," Pedowitz told students. "People understand if you have leverage but you don't use it. That creates a win-win situation. They feel they were treated honorably.
"That's what I do. As a negotiator, I believe in a win-win philosophy. You can make the greatest deal in the world, but over time if the other side feels you have affected them in some way, shape or form they will come and get you when you're down."
Pedowitz said he was honored when the studio asked him to negotiate a deal with Apple's iTunes for the distribution of "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" for viewing on computers or iPods at a cost of $1.99 per show. He called the deal "a pro-active measure to avoid illegal downloads."
"We actually do believe that if we make things affordable to honest people, they'll be honest," he said. "That's the premise of what we've done. It's a proactive measure for illegal downloads. We know there'll be piracy—it's a $3.5 billion business. This is one way for the television industry to avoid the massive illegal downloads the music industry has had to deal with."
Today's entertainment industry is in complete flux as new media outlets, such as video on demand, broadband, and mobile devices, allow the consumer to make the choice. "We must be all places for our consumer whenever they want us, how they want us and wherever they want us."
At the same time, production and distribution is a $3 billion industry that must be satisfied. Most of that revenue comes from commercials.
There will be times, Pedowitz told students, when you as the attorney must give advice the client doesn't want to hear. Learn to be tactful, but never be afraid to share you're opinion.
"You offer advice. You're the ones who are the conscience. You're the one who has to say that didn't sound good. You have to say it, and you have to have conviction and withstand a lot that goes along with it. Because if you don't, you're not doing your job," he warned. "It's that important. That's something I've learned from a number of people.
Pedowitz looks back fondly on his years at The John Marshall Law School. "It is the best place to get a practical lawyer's experience. The education I got here helped me more than anything else that I could imagine." And he appreciated the hands-on experience he got interning at the U.S. District Court and with the Cook County Public Defender's Office in Juvenile Court.
The other piece of advice Pedowitz shared with his technique for charting issues.
"I tried to outline a proposal for my first boss, and he couldn't follow where I was going so he said `Make me a chart.' I use this technique all the time, and I've taught others to do it.
"I find that it is the best way to get to the issue, know the proposal and the counter proposal. It is the most effective way for someone to read it and they'll get the topics and problems and you'll get the answers." 
Mark Pedowitz (J.D. '78) was the guest speaker for "The Art of the Deal" program Feb. 23. He is president of Touchstone Television and executive vice president of ABC Entertainment Television Group.
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The John Marshall Law School trial team advanced to the final round in the ATLA Mock Trial Regional Competition on Sunday, March 5, placing second overall after arguing in five trials, representing both plaintiff and defendant.
Team members were Dan Jackson and Morgan Stogsdill who argued as the attorneys. Keith Meister was the expert witness and Beth Heffernan posed as the plaintiff or defendant depending on the side the team was assigned.
From the initial 16 teams entered in the competition, John Marshall's team advanced to the quarterfinal round with the University of Notre Dame Law School, the University of Kentucky College of Law, and Northwestern University School of Law. John Marshall competed against Northwestern in the final round.
The team was coached by personal injury attorney Michael Mahoney, and John Marshall alumni Lance Northcutt (J.D. '02), a Cook County assistant state's attorney, and Lisa Damico (J.D. '01), a criminal defense attorney.
"We had a lot of talent and that's what took us to the final round," Damico said.
Team members on the second John Marshall team were Ben Burnham, Brad Cosgrove, Anna Gonis and Gabrielle Sansonetti. They also were coached by Mahoney, Northcutt and Damico
The case centered around a negligence claim involving a piece of equipment—a jet hoist—that was left on the property. The building owner claimed that the lease between her and the renter stipulated that she—as the property owner—would not be held responsible for any injuries or damage caused at the property.
The renter was to have agreed that she took control of the property in an "as is" condition. However, the jet hoist was a problem immediately after the renter moved in; it broke several more times and failed completely on the fourth attempt to use it.
Meister, who has a bachelor's degree in engineering, proved to be an excellent witness for the team explaining the workings of the hoist.
"We're extremely proud of both teams and the amount of effort they put into preparing for this competition," said Susann MacLachlan, associate director of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution. "We are fortunate to have an outstanding coaching staff, in addition to students with great talent and energy. Although they didn't advance to the national finals, we feel they did an exceptional job representing John Marshall and its trial skills program." 
Members of the two teams representing John Marshall at the ATLA Mock Trial Regional Competition were (seated, from left) Keith Meister, Brad Cosgrove, Daniel Jackson and Ben Burnham, and (standing, from left) Anna Gonis, Gabrielle Sansonetti and Morgan Stogsdill. One of the team's coaches, Lisa Damico (standing, right) (J.D. 01) joined them.
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Dorothy Li (center), associate dean and director of the Louis L. Biro Library at The John Marshall Law School, extends her thanks to Professor Kevin Hopkins (left) and Phyllis Finney, circulation coordinator in the library, for their efforts in creating a Black History Month display in February. This is the tenth year the two have paired up to provide the visual display for students, faculty and visitors to the library.
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March 20
Every year the Women's Law Caucus participates in the "Glass Slipper" project. Evening dresses, shoes and handbags are collected for high school students who may not be able to purchase them. Items will be collected in the Sargis-Miner Student Lounge the week of March 20.
Habitat for Humanity is selling t-shirts in the Sargis-Miner Student Lounge.
The Review of the Intellectual Property Law and the Intellectual Property Society will feature guest speaker John White, of the Plasticizing Law Institute, at noon in room 201. Refreshments will be served.
March 21
The Student Bar Association general meeting will be held at 5:05 p.m. in room 201.
The Black Law Students Association will have a general body meeting at 4:45 p.m. in room 503.
The Gay and Lesbian Legal Alliance will meet at 5 p.m. in room 402.
March 22
It is time for the Women's Law Caucus special program, "Dress for Success." Models will display clothing, make-up and other needs for successful interviews and a professional lifestyle. Lunch will be served at noon in room 3 east.
The Animal Law Society will meet at 5 p.m. in room 1101.
The Employee Benefits Law Student Association will meet at noon in room 1101. Pizza will be served.
March 23
The Polish Law Student Association will meet at noon in room 1102.
March 25
The Black Law Students Association will meet at 10:00 a.m. in room 201.
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March 20
- Writing Competition Luncheon, Room 1200, noon.
March 21
- Careers in Employee Benefits Law - Featuring a Panel of Alums from the LL.M. Employee Benefits Program, Room 3East, noon.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, noon.
- Center for Intellectual Property Law - Honorable Howard T. Markey Distinguished Lecture in Patent Law - "The Conundrum Confronting Congress: The Patent System Must Be Left Untouched While Being Radically Reformed," Room 1200, 2:30 p.m.
- Career Services - Interviewing Tips Workshop, Room 413, 5 p.m.
March 22
- Deans' Meeting, Courtroom, 10 a.m.
- National Conference of Law Reviews 2006, Fairmont Hotel, noon.
- Faculty Lunch with Paul Finkelman, Room 1103, noon.
- Real Estate Law Joint JD/LL.M. Information Sessions, Room 528, noon and 5 p.m.
- Film/Lecture Series - From the Hip with Prof. Bernabe, Room 1200, 4 p.m.
March 23
- National Conference of Law Reviews 2006, Fairmont Hotel, 8 a.m.
- Insights II Program, Room 503, 11:45 a.m.
- Center for International Business and Trade Law Joint J.D./LL.M. Information Sessions, Room 402, 12:45 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Belle R. and Joseph H. Braun Memorial Distinguished Lecture - "Chief Justice John Marshall's Court and the Problem of Race: Slaves, Free Blacks and American Indians," Room 1200, 2 p.m.
March 24
- National Conference of Law Reviews 2006, Fairmont Hotel, 8 a.m.
- 1L Mock Trial Competition, Room 3East, 5 p.m.
March 25
- PMBR, Room 1200, 9:30 a.m.
- National Conference of Law Reviews 2006, Fairmont Hotel, 10 a.m.
- Law Preview, Room 300, 10 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 216, 1 p.m.
- Insights II Program, Room 503, 1 p.m.
March 26
- PMBR, Room 1200, 9:30 a.m.
March 27
- Center Directors' Meeting, Room 800, noon.
March 28
- Careers in Tax Law - Featuring a Panel of Alums from the LL.M. Tax Law Program, Room 3East, noon.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, noon.
- Graduates Exit Conference, Room 409, noon and 5 p.m.
- Faculty Presentation with Prof. Hammond, Room 402, 12:15 p.m.
- International General Counsels' Roundtable Discussion, Room 1102, 12:30 p.m.
- Tea Time with the Deans, Student Lounge, 4:30 p.m.
- Career Services - Balancing Law School, Career Goals and Beyond, Room 201, 5 p.m.
March 29
- Deans' Meeting, Courtroom, 10 a.m.
- Center for Real Estate Law M.S. Information Session, Room 528, noon.
- Career Services - Legal Practice Area Series - Featuring Alternative Careers, Room 402, 1 p.m.
- IP Program - Patent-ly Effective Ways to Get a Job in IP Law, Room 1200, 5 p.m.
- Center for Real Estate Law M.S. Information Session, Room 413, 5:30 p.m.
March 30
- Insights II Program, Room 503, 11:45 a.m.
April 1
- PMBR, Room 1200, 9:30 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 216, 1 p.m.
- Insights II Program, Room 503, 1 p.m.
April 2
- PMBR, Room 1200, 9:30 a.m.
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In the Loop is published by The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Copyright 2006
Editor: Assistant Dean John M. McNamara; Contributors: Marilyn Thomas, Director, Public Relations and Advertising; Andrea Koklys, Assistant Director, Public Relations and Advertising
All information to be included in In the Loop must be placed in the INTHELOOP folder on the H drive of the law school's computer network by 12 p.m. each Wednesday. When the volume of submissions exceeds the available space in the printed version of In the Loop, additonal material will appear only in the online version of the Newsletter, which can be found on the law school's website at www.jmls.edu. 
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