Aaron D. Johnston

Aaron D. Johnston is an associate in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice at Sheppard’s Century City Office.

Aaron’s practice focuses on international and domestic transactions related to film and television rights/development, production, financing, acquisition, distribution and licensing, as well as the analysis of audiovisual content and clearance issues related to copyright, trademark and privacy law. Aaron also has experience with music industry agreements, including publishing, recording, collaboration, producer, mixer, touring, and merchandise agreements.

Professional and Educational Background

Born and raised in Iowa on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, Aaron studied sociology at Oxford and Yale. Before becoming a lawyer, Aaron worked as a professional filmmaker in the Netherlands and the United States, was nominated for Film Independent’s Someone to Watch Spirit Award, and had films at Sundance, Los Angeles Film Festival, and International Film Festival Rotterdam. Aaron’s continued love of film and years of experience have given him a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and filmmaker community in both Europe and the United States. Aaron received his law degree from UCLA School of Law, where he specialized in Media, Entertainment & Technology Law and Policy.

Aaron loves languages (especially Dutch and French), spending time in the Netherlands and Quebec (where his wife Lisa is from), and playing with/corralling his three young children: Rhett, Cleo, and Dax. When not working or parenting, Aaron can be found grilling, watching the Dodgers, or staying up too late to watch yet another movie.