Danielle Van Lier

Danielle Van Lier is an Adjunct Professor at Southwestern Law School, specializing in intellectual property and entertainment law. She joined the faculty in 2015 and teaches courses such as 'AI and the Entertainment Industry.' Her professional role is as Assistant General Counsel for Intellectual Property and Contracts at SAG-AFTRA since 2000. She has extensive experience managing third-party contracts, intellectual property rights, and advocating for member rights through amicus curiae briefs in high-profile cases involving copyright, rights of publicity, and the California Talent Agencies Act.

Education includes a J.D. from Washington University School of Law (1997), a B.A. in Japanese Language, Literature, and Cultural Studies from UC Santa Barbara (1994), and an LL.M. in Innovation, Technology, and the Law from the University of Edinburgh (2019). She also pursued a Master of Arts in East Asian Studies during her J.D. program.

Her professional background includes legislative work as a U.S. House of Representatives fellow and private practice in Los Angeles. She actively contributes to legal communities through leadership roles, including Chair of ACC's Sports & Entertainment Committee and past board member of the Southern California chapter of ACC. She co-founded Saving Wildlife International, a nonprofit focused on wildlife education.

Her legal expertise bridges entertainment industry practices, technology's impact on media, and intellectual property protection. Notable contributions include legal advocacy on behalf of performers' rights and innovative approaches to contract management in evolving digital landscapes.