Damien
Bonnel
Damien Bonnel practises intellectual property law with recognised expertise in film and audiovisual law. He supports producers, distributors, private investors, and SOFICAs, as well as screenwriters, directors, composers, performing artists, and talent agents, at every stage of the creation and exploitation of works.
His expertise is grounded in ten years as General Counsel of major independent film and series production companies (Stone Angels, Radar Films, Nord-Ouest Films, etc.), followed by several years within the Media & Entertainment department of an international law firm.
A pianist, film score composer (Demi-Sœurs (2018), Les Filles Désir (2025)…) and screenwriter (Immortelle, currently in development at Gaumont), Damien Bonnel has navigated between law and artistic creation throughout his career. He is also the author of an essay entitled L’art du détail au cinéma, published in 2023 by Groupe ESRA Editions.
Holding a dual qualification in intellectual property law and audiovisual law, he has been a member of the Paris Bar since 2023. Damien Bonnel is a co-founder of M21 Avocats.
Sectors
- Film & Audiovisual
- Content, Media & Entertainment
Areas of Expertise
- Intellectual property law (copyright, neighbouring rights, and media rights)
- Film and audiovisual law
- Legal counsel for producers, distributors, screenwriters, directors, and performing artists
- Legal support in France and internationally for the development, production, and exploitation of film and audiovisual works
Education
- Harvard Law School — Certificate in Copyright Law (2022)
- Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne — Master 2 in Law, Economics and Management of Audiovisual (D2A) (2024)
- Paris-Est Créteil University — Master 2 in Applied Intellectual Property Law (2013)
- Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas — Master 1 in Business Law, Banking, Finance and Securities Law
- Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas — Bachelor of Laws (Licence en Droit)
Commitments & Memberships
- Lecturer — Master II in Media Law, Panthéon-Assas University
- Lecturer — DHEC Production / Distribution programme, ESRA (École Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle)