Overview
Tara Parker is a partner in the Goodmans Entertainment Law Group, recognized worldwide as one of the leading practices in Canada. Her practice focuses on advising major U.S., international and Canadian studios, broadcasters/networks, producers, literary, musical, theatrical and other creative and business clients on media-related matters, including financing structures, tax incentives, international co-productions and joint-ventures, rights acquisitions, format, distribution and digital media deals, NFTs, errors and omissions insurance, talent deals, guilds/unions, clearance and intellectual property law matters.
Tara is recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada 2023 as Entertainment Law “Lawyer of the Year”, and is also recognized as a leading entertainment lawyer by Chambers Canada, The Legal 500 Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada and as Global Leader Who's Who Legal: Sports & Entertainment. She is also recognized for media by Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Lawyers and the Guide to the World's Leading Women in Business Law.
Awards & Recognition
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Chambers Canada Band 2, Media and Entertainment 2025
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The Legal 500 Canada Leading Individual, Media and Entertainment 2025
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Entertainment Law 2025
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Chambers Canada Band 2, Media and Entertainment 2024
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The Legal 500 Canada Leading Individual, Media and Entertainment 2024
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Lexpert/American Lawyer Media Guide Most Frequently Recommended, Entertainment 2024
Credentials
Professional Involvement
Tara is a thought leader in the industry and is frequently asked to comment on developments in entertainment news, including most recently in The Globe and Mail on the NFTs, CBC News on filming celebrity bio-pics without consent, CTV’s morning show regarding copyright litigation and Business News Network (BNN) on format programs and reality TV.
Tara is a guest lecturer on entertainment law and media-related issues at the University of Toronto law school, Schulich School of Business, York University, Ryerson University, Toronto Film School, Women in Film & Television and for the Osgoode Certificate in Entertainment Law course.
She has contributed articles to various entertainment law publications including, “Views about Drake's 6IX trademark dispute and Cartoonist challenges Banksy’s intellectual Property Rights” in The Lawyer’s Daily, published by LexisNexis Canada.
Tara is an Advisory Board Member for BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media, a mentor for Young Women in Law and duty counsel for ALAS Artist’ Legal Advice Services, a not-for-profit organization which provides free summary legal advice to artists in Ontario, Canada.
Credentials
- University of Victoria, J.D., 1999
- University of Toronto, M.A., 1995, Medieval History
- University of Toronto, B.A., 1994, Honours, History and English, With Distinction
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Past President and Chair of Crow’s Theatre
- Advisory Board Member BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media
- Mentor for Young Women in Law
- Duty Counsel for ALAS Artist’ Legal Advice Services, a not-for-profit organization which provides free summary legal advice to artists in Ontario, Canada
- Past Section Executive, Ontario Bar Association, Entertainment, Media and Communications Law
- WIFT-T Women in Film and Television – Toronto
- Film Ontario
- Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
Call to Bar
- Ontario
Insights
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Entertainment
So You Want To Produce In Canada, Eh?
If you are considering producing in Canada, there’s a lot you not only need to know, but want to know. Why? Because it can save you both time and money - and who doesn’t want that? The discussion… -
Entertainment
Ask an Expert: Key risks and considerations relevant to performers who are active on social media, Performers Magazine
In a recent article for ACTRA Toronto's Performers Magazine, Tara Parker and Megan Brooks discuss the considerations performers should weigh before posting something to a public-facing… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Lexpert Recognizes the Goodmans IP Team
The Goodmans IP Team is proud to have been recognized in the 26th edition of the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2022.As a group, the Goodmans IP Team was recognized as follows:Intellectual Property… -
Entertainment
To the Metaverse and Beyond: Correcting Common Misconceptions around NFTs
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have become the latest big thing to come out of the blockchain industry and capture mainstream attention. A wide range of artists, brands, investors, businesses and… -
Entertainment
Changes to Broadcasting Act will Require Online Streamers to Support the Canadian Broadcasting System
This week, Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault introduced Bill C-10 (the “Bill”) to amend the Broadcasting Act. The proposed changes would bring online streaming services, such as Netflix… -
Entertainment
Copyright no plaything: Celebrity tattoos in video games
Tattooed celebrities are abundant; from Shawn Mendes’s fan-designed butterfly, to Drake’s “6 God” praying hands, to the elaborate artwork displayed on the bodies of professional athletes like…
News & Events
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Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans Once Again Receives Top-Tier Recognition from The Legal 500 Canada
We are pleased to announce Goodmans LLP has once again received top-tier recognition from The Legal 500 Canada in their 2025 Guide released today.Recognition from The Legal 500 is based on independent… -
Entertainment
Tara Parker at Humber Legal Association – Guest Speaker Series
On November 12, 2024 Tara Parker will speak at the Humber Legal Association – Guest Speaker Series on entertainment law.To learn more about the Humber Legal Association, click here… -
Entertainment
Tara Parker at the OBA’s “Taylor Swift: Unpacking the Legal Issues of a Megastar”
Join Goodmans partner Tara Parker for the Ontario Bar Association’s upcoming session “Taylor Swift: Unpacking the Legal Issues of a Megastar” on November 22nd.Whether you are a self-proclaimed…