Biography

Cassandra Elizabeth-Marie Willard, Esq.

Cassandra is a partner at the law firm of Franklin & Willard in Orlando where she focuses her practice on intellectual property and entertainment law. She has worked with web designers, graphic artists, venues, artists, actors, performers, filmmakers, special effects/make-up artists, promotions companies, labels, managers and DJ’s to negotiate contracts, safeguard intellectual property rights and limit potential risk/liability.

Before joining her firm, she worked in various aspects of the entertainment law industry, including Planet Hollywood's corporate legal department and working for a boutique firm specializing in technology law. Through these positions, she gained practical experience with licensing, merchandising, business liability and diverse technology and intellectual property issues. These experiences also afforded her experience with issues that international companies and solo artists face in the industry.

In addition to her current practice, she is a course director, teaching Advanced Entertainment Law, at Full Sail Real World Education in the Entertainment Business Masters Program. Her broad experience in teaching includes not only Full Sail but also various other colleges and universities in Florida. She has taught classes including Business Law, Intellectual Property Law, Final Project/Business Plan Development and Internet Law at various schools.

Cassandra graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Business Administration, focusing on Finance, Hospitality and Accounting, from the University of Central Florida. She then earned her J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida's College of Law, with a focus in Intellectual Property. .