The Movie Picture Association of America, which represents the political, copyright and public relations interests of major studios worldwide, has selected Peter Valert, a lawyer with the Prague office of McKennas, as its official Czech representative.
The MPA wishes to have stronger links with the Czech Republic following a visit by MPA president Jack Valenti in October 1996.
Valert will play a key role in facilitating these links.
He had spent the last 18 months strengthening McKennas entertainment practice. “The practice is growing in response to the increasing number of opportunities opening up here and in the entertainment industry itself,” he said.
Valert, a Czech-American, studied law in Los Angeles where he worked to develop contacts. He also boasts a background in film and entertainment, with a father who was a cameraman in the Czech film industry in the 1960s.
He is currently advising a major Hollywood studio which is seeking to acquire one of the Czech Republic's two private Television studios and advising Warner Brothers in relation to copyright infringement matters.
“The Czech Republic offers a wealth of opportunities in film and TV. There should be plenty of work to keep us busy,” Valert said.
