About the Founder

This firm is owned and operated by Svetlana Couture, an american lawyer of Ukrainian dissent, who has been in the practice of law since 1997. Svetlana Couture is a member of the American Bar Association, The California Lawyers for Arts, Theatre Bay Area and Oakland East Bay Symphony. She is also a former board member of the Tahoe-Reno
International Film Festival, Subterranean Shakespeare and Theater Absurd companies, as well as Berkeley Community Media Cable television outlet.

In the past she owned and co-managed Haute Couture Entertainment and Haute Couture Productions Companies which have now merged into Couture & Associates. Her current entertainment law practice serves writers, talent, producers, musicians, entertainment non-profits and venue operators. Her expertise in entertainment law is enhanced by her knowledge of Immigration Laws pertaining to P-1 and P-3 visas which has enabled a number of foreign performers to present their works in the United States. In fact, her company imported high level Russian classical musicians whose repertoire includes performances in the White House, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy and Lincoln Centers for the Performing Arts.

Her legal portfolio and experience is broad based and includes expertise in transactional entertainment, IP, licensing agreements, employment-related matters, business matters, contracts and other areas of general civil practice including real estate transactions and litigation. She also has experience in the practice of family law in California, including contested custody and visitations and Juvenile Justice.

Her clients benefit not only from her legal expertise but also from her experience as an industry-savvy performer and writer.
Multi-talented, she has studied acting with the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), is an accomplished vocalist, actress, acting coach and theatrical director.

You can find some of the articles written about Svetlana Couture by clicking on the following links: