Sonya Roberts

After more than 20 years, at times working in dual roles as entertainment lawyer and producer, Sonya Roberts understands the nuances of creating successful 360-degree properties from inception to exploitation. Her expertise spans domestic production, international co-productions, production financing, distribution, licensing and merchandising, with specialized knowledge in the areas of children’s television (animation and live action), lifestyle, reality and documentary productions.

client roster includes:

• production companies & content creators

• creators, writers, showrunners, producers, directors

• performers & artists

• licensors & licensees

• broadcasters & distributors

• children’s entertainment & merchandise

• animation & visual effects

• multi-media platforms & social media companies

• podcasters & education publishers

• influencers & brand ambassadors

Based in Toronto, Canada, Sonya worked for many years as Director of Legal and Business Affairs at a top-tier combined prod-co and animation studio that produced the animated series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! which was, dubbed by her young daughter, “the best gig ever”.

Throughout her career, both in-house and in private practice, she has advised clients in all aspects of entertainment and media, including television, film, digital, music, videos, theatre, live events and publishing. Early in her career she shepherded a very young team through the legal aspects of making of their first documentary film, Hardwood, which ended up with an Academy Award® nomination. It was a successful beginning that inked her love for working with creatives and supporting their passions. Over the years, she also hasn’t been afraid to roll up her sleeves and take on more production-related roles in music videos, reality, and independent film.

Sonya’s mother came from Greece to Canada after WWII and the Greek civil war as an orphan with little education. As a creative young person Sonya always wrote stories, but her mother also encouraged her to pair her creativity with a “solid education.” Ironically, while attending law school, it was her creative pursuits (namely writing lifestyle tv scripts), that ended up paying the bills! With a deep understanding and respect for the creative world, she has based her career around assisting individuals and businesses service their ever-evolving needs.

Education

• Western University, B.A.

• University of Windsor L.L.B.

Called to the Bar in the Province of Ontario, Canada

*Please note that Sonya is not presently licensed in the US; her California Foreign Legal Correspondent authorization is filed and pending.