Ellen Courtney
PARALEGAL | LITIGATION ASSISTANT
Education: Harvard University; ALB Literature & Legal Studies 3.9 / Civil Law, Criminal Law
Combining my passion for law with a background in media, technology, and communications; I bring a forward-thinking approach to casework.
In 2020, amid the lockdown, I shifted my focus to Legal Studies at Harvard University after a successful decade-long career building digital departments for major companies like BuzzFeed and Madison Square Garden Entertainment, where I oversaw Fortune 500 partnership content. My expertise in the digital landscape equips me with valuable tools for the evolving practice of law. I’m proficient in integrating AI into legal workflows, with expertise in precision prompting and optimizing AI outputs for complex legal needs... (read more)
My interests lie in both civil and criminal law.
Resume
Nicholas Goodman & Associates, PLLC
2024 - Present
Litigation Paralegal
Civil litigation, from pleadings to appeals, in the state and federal courts sitting in the New York City metropolitan area.
Assisting with legal research, discovery, and e-discovery. Client intake background and interviews. Reading and analyzing cases. Writing and editing motions, memorandums, letters, etc... Attending hearings and writing hearing summaries.
Using: WestLaw, TimeSolv, Microsoft Office
Administrative work as needed.
2017 - 2020
Director, Production Operations (NY & LA)
Built in-house production and tech operations from the ground up. Grew staff from a team of 3 to 57 on both coasts. Established the tech and equipment cages. Liaison with Data Science team on metrics and predictability to inform monetized content and budget allocation for digital development. Liaison with Hollywood sound stage crew. Production lead on partnerships with Samsung, YouTube, FaceBook Watch / Meta, Amazon short-form and branded promos. Director of the casting department from 2018 - 2020. Director of the NBC/Tasty Franchise from 2019-2020. Oversight of rights clearances, media rights, celebrity contracts, vendor contract negotiations, location permits and adherence to child performer labor laws on set. Nominated (lead producer) for Webby Awards and Shorty Awards.
BuzzFeed
2012 - 2017
Director, Digital Content
A direct report to the SVP of Digital Content. Oversight of all digital marketing strategy, digital content, short form video content capture and production for MSG Entertainment, Knicks, Rangers, LA Forum and Radio City Music Hall. Oversight of rights clearances, media rights, celebrity contracts, vendor contract negotiations, and location permits. Writing, arranging and conducting celebrity interviews including Carmelo Anthony, Henrik Lundqvist, ASAP Rocky, Michael B. Jordan, Spike Lee, Billy Joel, Paramore, Ozzy Osbourne and The Avett Brothers (featured in Judd Apatow’s “Will It Last” for HBO). Built first monetized content sales team “menu” for fortune 500 partners including Chase and Delta. Created and produced the short form docuseries with dedicated website “Before The Show” for Coca-Cola and MSG Entertainment and The Azoff Company, renewed for three seasons.
Director, Creative Services / Re Branding MSG 2014 Arena Renovation
A direct report to both the EVP of Marketing Solutions and the President of Sports. Collaborated with BBB Architects and Daktronics on behalf of MSG to oversee aesthetics and brand integration into the 2011 - 2014 arena renovation. Brand displays for signature partners including Chase, Lexus and Delta. Produced archival displays, in conjunction with with MSG archives, and the Elvis, Sinatra, Monroe, Kennedy estates re media rights for artifacts and audio. Nominated for lobby brand integration on state-of-the-art LED displays as creative director for a Clio Award. Selected and managed all signage, metalwork, 3-D CGI animators and design vendors, budgets and contracts.
Madison Square Garden Company
2012 - 2024
Marketing Strategy / Digital Consultant / Executive Presentations: Spectrum, Charter, Viacom, Resonance (Tech Start-Up), Atlantic Records/WMG
Advisory Board: Advanced Imaging Society, LA (2011 - 2014) / Infinity Festival Hollywood: AR / VR / AEI / AI (2018-2020)
Software Development; User Interface Consultant; Adobe InDesign 3.0
Freelance & Contract Work / Other
Applications
Adobe CS (all Adobe applications)
AI (all )
CAD (basic)
Canva
Lexis Nexis
Microsoft Office (all applications)
Pacer
TimeSolv
Westlaw
Skills
E - Discovery
E - Filing
Emails & calendars
Journalism
Legal Research
Legal Writing
On and off camera interviews
Presentations (court & executive)
Award Nominations
Shorty Award 2018 ; BuzzFeed x Samsung
AdWeek Social Impact 2018; BuzzFeed x Samsung
Webby Award 2018; BuzzFeed Series
Clio Award 2014; MSG Renovation; Chase Lobby
Lecturer
Bloomberg Philanthropies, NYC (Internal) Going Viral: Digital Storytelling (2018)
School of Visual Arts, NYC, Finding Your Career in Media (2013)
Languages
English (Fluent)
French (Int. Read/Write)