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)