THIS FEATURE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN JOURNEYS SUMMER 2022. 

From working as production counsel on over 150 films to serving notable clients like Mary J. Blige, Taylour Paige, Bernie Taupin, Jesse Williams, and Ne-Yo, among others, Anita Surendran (class of 2000) has an impressive list of career highlights, though her journey to entertainment law was not as simple as one may think.

After graduating from Singapore American School, Surendran attended Emory University and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (with a minor in dance and movement studies) in 2004. She then packed her bags for Los Angeles to pursue a career as a dancer. While she was realistic in her pursuit of becoming a professional artist, her mindset shifted when she met an entertainment lawyer who represented talent. She shares, “Meeting the lawyer made me realize if I couldn’t be the talent, I’d work to protect them instead. From day one of law school, I was determined to go into entertainment law.”

Currently a partner at Granderson Des Rochers LLP and co-chair of the firm’s Film and Television Group, Surendran represents individual and corporate clients in the film, television, and digital media industries. She has also served within the independent film space and with various studios and networks, including A24, Amazon, and Netflix. Every day proves to be a different challenge for her as the entertainment industry is constantly evolving, particularly as clients have become more entrepreneurial themselves. Through grit and determination, she has found numerous creative approaches to help protect her clients – in both traditional and non-traditional roles. She shares, "Our firm prides itself on helping today's artist navigate the industry across various mediums, including digital media, fashion, film/television, and music."

While the job has been rewarding for her career-wise, Surendran has found it a challenge to maintain a good work-life balance. “Unlike other industries, ours doesn’t have a slow period within the year due to production cycles and release schedule,” she notes. That said, working with top talent certainly comes with special perks. She muses, “We’ve been fortunate that many of our clients’ films premiere at various film festivals around the globe. Attending Sundance has been a favorite memory of mine for the last 11 years.”

When it comes to offering career advice for those interested in entertainment law, Surendran points out, “Law school grades are important but certainly not solely determinative. We’re always impressed by potential candidates that really understand the entertainment industry from a practical perspective.”

Surendran attributes her drive to succeed to her time here at SAS. She believes she learned how to be disciplined and well-rounded to succeed in a competitive environment. She shares, “SAS has also taught me the value of fostering deep relationships, which will get you further in life than almost anything else.”