Andrea D. Sporer is a distinguished business and legal affairs consultant with more than five decades of experience in the entertainment and media industries. Since 2019, she has excelled as the owner and operator of Andrea D. Sporer LLC, where she specializes in business setups and negotiations. In this role, she collaborates with clients and their legal representatives to structure deals, facilitate negotiations, and organize television and film productions, including location coordination, talent acquisition, and distribution preparation.
Before establishing her consultancy, Ms. Sporer served as the senior vice president of business and legal affairs at Scholastic Inc. from 1996 to 2019, where she managed complex legal matters in the publishing industry. Prior to that, she was vice president of business affairs and general counsel at the Synchronal Corporation from 1992 to 1995. Ms. Sporer also held multiple senior leadership roles, serving as senior vice president at United Satellite Communications Inc. from 1984 to 1986 and as vice president of business affairs at MGM/UA Communications Company from 1981 to 1983.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Sporer was a senior vice president and head of East Coast business affairs at the Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company from 1979 to 1981. She began her professional journey as an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP from 1974 to 1980, where she transitioned from litigation to entertainment media under the mentorship of Robert Montgomery. One of her most notable career moments was negotiating a deal on a napkin with Nick Cohn for the rights to make “Saturday Night Fever,” a project involving Robert Stigwood.
An expert in all forms of entertainment and media, including television and movie productions, Ms. Sporer is an active voting member of the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) and New York Women in Film and Television. She was previously a voting member of the International Academy. Ms. Sporer prepared for her career by building a strong educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with minors in French and art history from Tufts University in 1969. Following this achievement, she earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the New York University School of Law in 1972.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Sporer has been actively involved in civic associations and charitable causes. She has provided pro bono representation for young artists, supported breast cancer initiatives, raised funds for dog charities and New York Downtown Hospital, and taught English as a second language. Her contributions reflect her dedication to giving back to the community. She has also shared her expertise through speaking engagements, including serving on panels such as “Women Producing in New York City,” influencing the next generation of professionals in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on her journey, Ms. Sporer did not initially enter law school with a deep passion for becoming a lawyer but instead saw it as an opportunity to continue her education with the support of her parents. Inspired by her then-boyfriend’s acceptance into law school, she believed she could succeed as well. Grateful for the chance, she recognized that many women at the time lacked the same opportunities.
Ms. Sporer went on to clerk for an exceptional judge, becoming the first woman he hired and the first who had not attended Yale or Harvard. This experience led to her accepting a role as a litigator at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. However, she soon realized that litigation was not her calling and transitioned into entertainment law, working directly with Robert Montgomery, one of the most prominent entertainment lawyers. This experience marked the beginning of Ms. Sporer’s prolific career in media and entertainment law.
Ms. Sporer attributes her success to her strong work ethic instilled in her by her parents, who are both accomplished physicians. She also credits the opportunities she seized early in her career despite her lack of mentorship. Her dedication and perseverance led her to become a respected figure in her field. Born in New York, Ms. Sporer enjoys reading, traveling, fostering dogs, and spending time with her family in her free time. Looking to the future, she plans to continue working on movie projects while offering support and guidance to those seeking her expertise.