Rachael S. Connelly

Rachael Connelly in an associate in the Entertainment, Technology, and Media Practice Group in the firm's Century City office. 

Areas of Practice

Rachael’s practice encompasses all aspects of entertainment transactions, including drafting and negotiating agreements related to the development, production, acquisition, and distribution of television and motion picture productions. Rachael currently advises Amazon MGM Studios on its television and motion picture matters with respect to talent agreements, rights options and acquisitions, as well as chain-of-title analysis.

Prior to joining Sheppard Mullin, Rachael served as in-house counsel at ITV America. There, she focused on supporting all aspects of production legal for unscripted programming, including fan favorites such as “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” “Love Island,” and “Sins of the South.”

Rachael started her legal career as a corporate associate at international law firms, where she represented institutional clients in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, securities compliance, and finance matters.

Rachael received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where she served as Co-President of the Georgetown Entertainment and Media Alliance and Senior Articles Editor for the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. In addition, as Director of the Barristers’ Council Alternative Dispute Resolution Division, Rachael represented Georgetown Law in various national and international negotiations competitions.

Prior to her career in the law, Rachael worked in Washington, DC, as a Capitol Hill staffer and non-profit lobbyist.

In her spare time, Rachael is typically with some or all of her three children, but is also an avid Peloton cycler, certified yoga instructor, voracious reader, and passionate patron of the arts (especially live theater, modern orchestras, and improv comedy).