In media, marketing, and entertainment, the weight of a single word can make or break a brand. A catchy phrase can captivate audiences, but the legal language keeps everything from falling apart. Whether it’s the fine print of a licensing deal, the details of a contract, or the scope of usage rights, the behind-the-scenes paperwork keeps the wheels turning smoothly. Without proper legal frameworks, even the most brilliant ideas are vulnerable to costly disputes that derail entire campaigns or business ventures. In this industry, the contract language is just as crucial as the message on-screen.
This is where legal experts come into play, but not in the way most people think. Lawyers aren’t just about enforcing the law; they are also the architects of the legal structures that allow creativity and business to thrive without stepping into trouble. They build the invisible foundation that keeps everything running, from crafting clear terms to protecting intellectual property. For over four decades, one of the most trusted voices in this intricate process has been Douglas J. Wood, advising high-profile clients and ensuring their ideas are protected by solid legal groundwork. His experience and expertise have made him a key player in shaping the framework that allows the media and entertainment industries to flourish.
Douglas J. Wood is an American attorney and author with a distinguished career spanning over 45 years in entertainment and media law. He retired as an entertainment and media partner at Reed Smith and is currently the principal of the Law Offices of Douglas J. Wood, PLLC. Wood was born on August 14, 1950, to Gilbert Fitzgerald and Rhoda Prois Wood. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rhode Island and his Juris Doctor from the Franklin Pierce Law Center, later obtaining a Master of Laws in Trade Regulation from New York University School of Law. Wood was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of New Hampshire and has served as an adjunct professor of advertising law at the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law and University College Cork in Ireland. Douglas J. Wood began his career at Abeles Clark & Osterberg, advising musical performers and participating in landmark trials. He later became Executive Managing Partner at Hall Dickler Lawler Kent & Howley, which was renamed Hall Dickler Kent Friedman & Wood in 1985. Wood has represented global clients in advertising, intellectual property, and e-commerce, serving as General Counsel for MMA Global, and founded the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance. In 2004, Wood joined Reed Smith, founding its Entertainment and Media Law group, and retired as an equity partner in 2020. In 2024, he established the Law Offices of Douglas J. Wood, PLLC.
In addition to his legal expertise, Wood is also an accomplished author, making significant contributions to the legal community and the general public. His books have bridged the gap between legal minds and the broader audience, offering insights into the intricacies of law while providing the public with a clearer understanding of the legal landscape. Douglas J. Wood has authored several notable works, including non-fiction books such as Please Be Ad-Vised: The Legal Reference Guide for the Advertising Executive (7th edition), 101 Things I Want to Say… (2014), and Legal Problems in Advertising (2003, co-authored with Felix H. Kent). His fiction includes the Presidential trilogy (2014-2017), Dark Data: Control, Alt, Delete (2020), Dragon on the Far Side of the Moon (2021), Blood on the Bayou (2022), and The Shakespeare Killer (2023). Additionally, Wood penned autobiographical works like Asshole Attorney (2018) and From Dawn to Dusk (2024).
Douglas J. Wood is recognized as a global expert in advertising law, with accolades from Chambers and Partners, the Legal 500, The Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers. His achievements include serving as General Counsel to the Association of National Advertisers for over 20 years, leading the 2023 ANA study on programmatic media buying, drafting the industry-standard ANA Master Media Buying Services Agreement, and spearheading the 2016 ANA investigation into media buying practices. He has also negotiated major collective bargaining agreements and holds a U.S. patent for a mapping system for intellectual property data.
Douglas J. Wood’s legacy extends beyond his legal accomplishments into education and philanthropy. A longtime champion of legal education, he served over 20 years on the Board of Trustees of the Franklin Pierce Law Center, 15 of them as Chair, where he was instrumental in the school’s merger with the University of New Hampshire. He continues to serve on the Dean’s Advisory Council and has established the Wood Scholars scholarship fund, now exceeding $1 million, alongside contributions to the Sports & Entertainment Law Institute and DEI initiatives. A firm believer in giving back, Wood remains committed to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. He resides in North Carolina with his wife of 52 years, Carol Ann, and enjoys time with their three children and five grandchildren. He holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ireland. Through all his work, Wood has shaped the legal frameworks behind media and advertising and the profession’s future.
