Bite-Sized Business Law Inside the Rust Lawsuit with Production’s Lead Counsel
What happens when a high-stakes legal case collides with tragedy, headlines, and the film industry? In this episode of Bite-Sized Business Law, Melina Spadone, General Counsel at Thomasville Pictures and lead counsel for the Alec Baldwin film Rust, shares how she was unexpectedly thrust into one of the most publicized lawsuits in recent memory following the accidental on-set shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and sparked national outrage. From managing fractured legal teams and negotiating settlements to handling crisis PR and even editing the film’s trailer, Melina recounts how her unconventional career path and ability to navigate complexity positioned her to lead with strategy and empathy. She reflects on the power of being underestimated, the value of trusting her instincts, and the unexpected ways that her background (from M&A law to parenting) prepared her for the moment. Tune in to find out how creative thinking, empathy, and fearless leadership helped navigate one of the most sensitive lawsuits in Hollywood, and why Melina believes every twist in her unconventional career led her exactly where she was meant to be!
Key Points From This Episode:
- How Melina’s eclectic law school experience shaped her career philosophy.
- The case for being a jack of all trades and embracing unpredictability.
- Insight into the unexpected way Melina became lead counsel on the Rust case.
- Strategic leadership across litigation, OSHA, insurance, and PR in a crisis.
- Treating a movie as a distressed asset in legal negotiations.
- Honoring Halyna Hutchins through movie completion and awards consideration.
- Ways that Melina’s varied career experience and personal background prepared her for this case.
- Why being underestimated is a secret weapon.
- Lessons in self-trust, advocacy, and client-centered lawyering.
- Beyond the headlines: financing and completing Rust post-settlement.
- Thoughts on Trump’s proposed film tariffs.
- How AI and cost are shaping the future of independent film.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Rust Trailer
Rust on Amazon Prime
Rust on Apple TV
Fordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center