Nikki Tabibian has established herself as a distinguished attorney specializing in entertainment law, with an impressive career spanning major media and entertainment companies. Her journey reflects not only a strong academic background but also a determined pursuit of excellence in the legal and media landscape.
Early Life and Education
Tabibian demonstrated academic excellence early on, graduating summa cum laude from New York University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, concentrating in Television Writing & Production. Her outstanding performance earned her multiple honors, including the Dean’s Award for Graduating Seniors and the Founder’s Day Award. Her creative talents were recognized by NYU when she received an award for her pilot series Meet Me in the Middle, an autobiographical sit-com chronicling her life as a first generation Iranian. Her passion for entertainment transcended the classroom, as she was selected to intern for production companies and television shows while completing her studies. She further cultivated her passion for television writing and production through internships at the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Above Average. She also worked as a reporter for Avalon Management, where she recruited comedic talent from local comedy clubs. This deep understanding and appreciation for the creative process is what makes Tabibian a passionate entertainment lawyer today.
She continued her academic journey at Washington University School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2021. Throughout law school, Tabibian distinguished herself with notable accomplishments, including receiving the prestigious Dorothy L. Weller Scholarship. Her education equipped her with the legal acumen necessary to navigate the complexities of entertainment law, setting the stage for her impressive career trajectory.
Early Experience: Internships and Clerkships
Tabibian’s career began with internships that provided her with foundational experience in intellectual property and media law. In 2016, she interned at 21st Century Fox, where she performed international rights research and drafted Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notices to combat copyright infringement on platforms like YouTube, WeChat, and Weibo.
By 2018, she had joined NBC Universal as a Coordinator, where she played a crucial role in script development for short-form television content. This role not only honed her skills in reviewing development agreements but also deepened her understanding of production budgets and contract execution.
Her journey continued with a legal internship at NBC Universal in 2019, where she gained hands-on experience in contract negotiation and entertainment law. She redlined above-the-line agreements, including theatrical loan-outs and consulting agreements, and contributed to drafting below-the-line agreements such as location and hotel rider contracts. She also conducted chain-of-title searches and prepared statements of work—an experience that solidified her expertise in rights management and legal compliance within the entertainment sector.
Advancing in Entertainment Law
Following her internship at NBC Universal, Tabibian took on roles at prominent entertainment law firms. At Pierce Law Group (2020), she focused on drafting script development agreements, co-production contracts, and literary quitclaims. Her work often revolved around ensuring compliance with the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), further refining her expertise in guild regulations and residual payments.
In early 2021, Tabibian expanded her portfolio as a Law Clerk at Keshet International, where she worked on high-profile international scripted productions. She played a key role in drafting option purchase, writer, and producer agreements, and implementing co-production guidelines for collaborations with major streaming platforms. Her work required a keen understanding of international intellectual property laws and production regulations, proving her ability to navigate global entertainment markets.
Establishing Herself as a Leading Attorney
Since October 2021, Tabibian has worked at NBC Universal where she specializes in marketing and licensing for Universal’s global parks and live and location-based entertainment businesses. Her expertise extends beyond contract and legal clearances; she plays a strategic role in protecting NBC Universal’s intellectual property rights, ensuring that legal frameworks align with evolving industry trends. Her ability to interpret and apply complex legal frameworks to real-world entertainment deals makes her an invaluable asset to NBC Universal’s legal team.
Thought Leadership and Industry Contributions
In addition to her legal practice, Tabibian is committed to education and mentorship. In October 2024, she conducted a one-hour introductory course at New York University’s Production Lab titled “Copyright 101: Legal Tools for Artists.” Through this engagement, she provided undergraduate and graduate students with essential knowledge about copyright law, empowering emerging artists and content creators to protect their work in an increasingly digital landscape.
Her multilingual abilities—fluent in Farsi, Hebrew, and French —further enhance her capacity to work on international projects and engage with diverse legal frameworks across different jurisdictions.
Legacy and Future Aspirations
Tabibian’s career is a testament to her dedication, intellect, and passion for entertainment law. From her early days as a law student to her current role as an attorney at NBC Universal, she has continuously demonstrated an unwavering commitment to legal excellence and industry leadership.
Her journey highlights the intersection of creativity and legal expertise, proving that a deep understanding of both artistic and legal dimensions can shape the future of media and entertainment. With her growing influence in the field, Tabibian is poised to continue making significant contributions, whether through her legal practice, mentorship initiatives, or thought leadership in entertainment law. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, professionals like Tabibian will play a crucial role in navigating legal complexities and ensuring that intellectual property rights remain protected. Her achievements thus far suggest that she is only at the beginning of an even more remarkable career ahead.
What’s Next?
When asked what’s next for the young attorney, Tabibian bluntly replied “We’ll see…!” Follow along her legal journey on Instagram @nikkitabibianesq for more on the tremendous feats she has in store.
