DALLAS, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The number of lawyers specializing in video games is on the rise, according to a national survey by Interactive Age, the global business journal of interactive entertainment.  Rapid development of a new field in law is the direct result of explosive growth from the business behind games, and the increasing number of transactions.

"The results of our recent survey show there are 530 attorneys practicing law in the area of video games, new media and interactive entertainment," said N. Evan Van Zelfden, editorial director for Interactive Age.

Solo-practitioners have been known experts in the field for years, but the numbers indicate that big firms are staking a claim and operating significant video game practices.  "The appeal for these big firms," explained Van Zelfden, "is that this sector lets them leverage all of their expertise across the board for a single client."

Top firms include:

Those surveyed reported sustained growth of the sector, citing a highly stratified client-base.

"This phenomenon is much like the history and development of Sports Law," says Dr. Peter Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University, the top graduate level video game development program in the United States. "Legal issues that were sports-related went from being handled by individual attorneys and small firms to now being part of large firms.  Today, the Sports Law Association has more than a 1,000 members."

According to Van Zelfden, these findings further signify the need for lawyers to stay engaged with an ever-changing video game industry.  "The premiere forum is SMU's annual Game::Business::Law summit," stated Van Zelfden.  "The event gives attorneys the chance to interact with industry executives and the general counsels from firms they might represent on future actions."

The third annual Game::Business::Law Summit, hosted by SMU's Dedman School of Law, The Guildhall at SMU and the Center for American and International Law, takes place Wednesday, Jan. 26 – Thursday, Jan. 27, in Dallas, TX. 

Conference details, scheduled speakers and additional information can be found at: www.game-business-law.com.

Interactive Age Top 30 Game Law Firms List Continuation

SOURCE The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University