In this Valentine’s Day edition of Tenant Spotlight we caught up with Cynthia de Petris and Edgar Pease on a cool winter’s day in Hollywood. Cynthia and Edgar both practice law over at our Gower location and they happen to be one of the cutest couples ever! We wanted to know more about how they started out individually as well as what it’s like working together.
Cynthia and Edgar are happy to give a free consultation to anyone in the building with legal issues. Suite 254. (323) 785-2131
Cynthia, I read you passed the bar in 1993. What were you doing before you decided to take the big test?
Cynthia: One takes the bar exam following law school. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be an attorney when I graduated. I had always been a teacher, so I set up my own law school tutorial service and spent two years tutoring law students and bar candidates. Meantime, Ed passed the bar and needed my help because the practice became very busy, so we decided I would take the test as well. I have been practicing since 1993.
Cynthia, what type of law do you practice?
Cynthia: I am a family law attorney and deal with civil litigation. Many of my clients are in the entertainment field and I deal with their divorces, custody, support and business disputes.
Edgar, How has your approach changed towards representing artists during the time you’ve been practicing law? What kind of services do you typically provide as an entertainment lawyer?
Edgar: I developed an approach to musical and theatrical artists based upon my 20 plus years as a professional musician prior to becoming an attorney which allows me to speak the language of the artists I am dealing with since I was once looking at issues as a composer and writer instead of just an attorney. I provide contract analysis, deal memos, copyright and intellectual property litigation and representation, trademark and domain name protection, writer and composer protection from infringers and general entertainment consultation.
Edgar, do you represent any artists that are just beginning their musical career?
Edgar: Yes. I represent a rock band by the name of Acidic who has just concluded a 10 month US Tour known as “Warped Tour 14.” I also represent producer Angel Chen who is a first time major motion picture executive producer. Long time clients I currently represent include Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson’s Heal the World Foundation, Carlos Santa/John Ryan, Bobby Womack who recently passed away, Continuim Records (Keith Richards), Academy Award composer David Shire, Emmy Award winning composer James D’Pasquale, Academy Award nominee Carol Connors (Theme from “Rocky” and “Rescuers Down Under – Disney), Misty Copeland/San Pedro Ballet Co., Football Hall of Fame Athlete Eric Dickerson, Screen Writer Jerico Stone, Rock/Metal Bands “The Turtels,” Rare Earth, White Snake, Thin Lizzy, Stanley Clarke (famous Jazz musician), Janet Jackson, Jessie J/Loomis and the Lust federal copyright litigation, currently consulting on copyright infringement issues related to 12 Years a Slave/Desperate Housewives, among others.
Cynthia, what do you like most about working with Ed in the same practice?
Cynthia: He’s extremely creative he never says no to a client. And he’s extremely loving and compassionate with every client. It’s inspiring to watch that.
Edgar, what do you like most about working with Cynthia in the same practice?
Edgar: We have been married 24 years now. First of all, she’s such a good attorney; she’s really good at her job. We went to law school together. Between the two of us we make a lawyer. [Laughing] Judges and lawyers see us together all the time. People say when you hire one of us, you get two.
What are you two doing for Valentine’s Day?
Cynthia: We are going to Pupukae which is on the North shore of Hawaii. We have a little place there that overlooks the ocean.
