Giancarla Sambo

Giancarla Sambo

Entertainment & Pageant Law Attorney | Media Counsel & Contract Negotiation
  • Entertainment & Sports Law
  • District of Columbia, New York, Puerto Rico
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Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ASocial MediaResponsive Law
Biography

Giancarla Sambo is a distinguished entertainment attorney specializing in media contracts, talent agreements, and production deals. With over 15 years of experience, she has successfully negotiated and managed thousands of entertainment, fashion, and luxury agreements.

Giancarla's unique experience as a pageant attorney sets her apart in the field. Having served as the Executive Director of The Miss America Opportunity and State Board President of Miss Puerto Rico, she was pivotal in managing sponsorships, overseeing operations, and advising on contracts for events broadcast to millions. Her expertise in the pageant sector underscores her ability to handle complex agreements and protect the interests of contestants and organizations.

Her background as a former media personality enhances her legal practice, offering a unique perspective on the entertainment landscape. Giancarla has collaborated with major brands like AT&T, Disney, and Google and provided legal counsel for high-profile events such as the Essence Festival and Afropunk. She delivers tailored legal solutions that minimize risk and drive success.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Giancarla serves a global client base, helping them navigate cross-border legal challenges. She is committed to staying current with industry trends and legal developments to ensure her clients benefit from practical, up-to-date strategies.

Recognized as Lawyer of the Year in 2022 and 2023, Giancarla combines her expertise in entertainment law with her unique experience in pageantry, providing unparalleled legal support to clients across diverse sectors.

Practice Area
Entertainment & Sports Law
Fees
  • Free Consultation
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
District of Columbia
District of Columbia Bar
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New York
New York State Office of Court Administration
ID Number: 5675103
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Puerto Rico
Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico
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9th Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • French: Spoken, Written
  • Italian: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Entertainment Attorney (Contracts)
Legal Services
- Current
The Washington Post, Business Affairs, (2024 – Present). Lead contract negotiations and drafting for WP Creative Group and WP Live.
Blogger - Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section Blog
New York State Bar Association
- Current
Create content that informs 1.3K+ blog members of the latest entertainment industry updates.
Media & Entertainment Attorney
Essence Communications, Inc.
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Advised on vendor contracts and high-profile event planning, including the Essence Festival and Afropunk Festival, ensuring all legal aspects were thoroughly addressed to protect the company’s interests.
Attorney Support and Marketing Associate
Law Offices
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Favorable Settlements in 645 Cases.
National Executive Director | State (Territory) Board - President & Attorney
The Miss America Opportunity - Puerto Rico chapter
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Increased Revenue by 15%. Oversaw operations and negotiated nearly 100 contracts annually, including sponsorships with major brands like Walmart and Express.
Entertainment and Corporate Counsel
Solo Practitioner
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Provided legal counsel to clients in the entertainment, fashion, and luxury sectors, specializing in contract negotiation and risk management.
Legislative Assistant
Puerto Rico Senate
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Summer position
Education
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law
J.D. | Concentration in Contracts
Highest-ranked ABA-accredited law school in Puerto Rico.
Honors: Academic excellence in Private International Law
Activities: Board member, student leadership team - Publicity Director (2L). Studies in legal common law and civil law system.
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law Logo
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
LL.M. | Entertainment & New Media Law
Focus on entertainment law, media contracts, and legal issues in new media industries.
Honors: Academic Excellence Award, Loyola Law School; Entertainment & Sports Industries Forum Award, American Bar Association
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Logo
New York University
M.A. | Broadcast Journalism
New York University Logo
Fordham University
B.A. | Media Studies and Sociology
Fordham University Logo
Awards
Avvo Rating Level - Superb
Avvo
Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Top 100 Lawyers
Most Influential Attorneys in North America
Issued by Top 100 Lawyers - The Magazine Jun 2023
Attorney of the Year (2022 & 2023)
Top 100 Lawyers
Who's Who in American Law 2020 - 2021
Marquis Who's Who
Recognition for years of community service & pro-bono work
Renace Condado
Faces of Loyola Law School
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Academic Excellence Award
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Entertainment & Sports Industries Forum Scholarship Award
American Bar Association
Professional Associations
FEME - Female Executives in Media & Entertainment
Member
- Current
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New York State Bar
Member
- Current
Activities: Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section Member; Task Force on the US Territories Member; Committee on Media Law Member
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District of Columbia Bar
Member
- Current
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American Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries member (2003 - 2012; 2023 - Present)
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Puerto Rico Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico)
Member
- Current
Activities: 2006 - 2016; 2022 - Present
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Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
Member
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Speaking Engagements
Craft Winning Sponsorship Requests, Virtual Presentation
Pageantry 101, The Legal Side of Pageantry: CONTRACTS, Virtual
Rams Helping Rams Class of 2020. Alumni Q+A, Giancarla Sambo - Entertainment Executive specializing in on-air production and talent representation
Certifications
2025 Leadership Academy
New York State Bar Association
Latham & Watkins's Data and Technology Transactions Job Simulation
Forage
Fashion Law Summer Intensive Program a.k.a Fashion Law Bootcamp
Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School
NYSBA Trial Academy: Trial Techniques
New York State Bar Association
Latham & Watkins - Intellectual Property Litigation Job Simulation
Forage
Inside LVMH
LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE)
Music Modernization Act: Negotiating Artist Contracts
University of Puerto Rico
Practice-Ready Certification on Lexis Advance
LexisNexis
Websites & Blogs
Website
GiancarlaSambo.com
Blog
Giancarla Sambo, Esq.
Legal Answers
1 Questions Answered
Q. What do I need to know in preparation for creating a YouTube channel that reviews entertainment media?
A: I agree with the previous answer. Here are some additional points to consider.

1. Creative Commons & Licensing: To avoid copyright claims, use royalty-free music or footage or create original content.

2. Fan Engagement: Set guidelines for fan submissions and provide disclaimers. Build community through comments, live reviews, and polls.

3. Monetization: Use overlays and keep clips short. For additional income, you can use affiliate links or merchandise.

4. Stay Compliant: Regularly check YouTube’s policies and protect user data to comply with privacy laws.
View More Answers
Contact & Map
Giancarla Sambo, Esq.
521 5th Avenue
17th Floor - Suite 1700
New York, NY 10175-0038
US
Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed (Today)
Sunday: Closed
Notice: *By appointment only.
Avenida de Diego
San Juan, PR 00911
US