Joshua Lastine is the founder of Lastine Entertainment Law based out of California.

The St. Edmond Catholic School and University of Northern Iowa graduate packed up his belongings and made the trek west several years ago with one goal in mind.

“To become a successful entertainment lawyer,” Lastine said. “That was it. There really was no backup plan.”

For Lastine, that journey started at a young age as a dream that never went away.

“I’ve been planning this since I was a kid,” he said. “I always knew I wanted to work in movies and television and growing up I had a strong interest in business, entrepreneurship and economics. Marrying movies and business was always the logical choice for me.

“What I didn’t plan on was owning my own law firm. I assumed I’d work inside a major studio like Warner Bros. But the industry changed. Streaming exploded and then imploded and the way people consume media has drastically changed. That shift opened up new opportunities, and I decided to build something of my own.”

Lastine has had to alter and shift his goals, including through the COVID-19 pandemic. But that just opened a new door for him to burst through after working for Marvel Studios, Creative Artists Agency and Liongate in various roles.

“I was laid off from a studio job,” he said. “But my phone didn’t stop ringing — clients kept calling needing my help. That’s when I realized I didn’t need anyone’s permission and launched Lastine Entertainment Law.

“Five years later, we’re still growing and thriving.”

Even after all this time away from home, Lastine still reflects on the years he spent in Iowa.

“Growing up in Iowa teaches you discipline and how to work hard,” he said. “There are no shortcuts in life — even in Hollywood — and lessons learned growing up in Iowa have carried me far in my career.”

“Lastine Entertainment Law is a boutique transactional entertainment law firm. We negotiate and draft deals for film, television, new media, animation, and online creators.

“We primarily draft and negotiate contracts but we also structure film financing, represent actors and writers, and help influencers protect their work online,” Lastine said. “There are a lot of types of entertainment lawyers. Some do defamation. Some divorce. Some live in courtrooms. That’s not me. I don’t go to court. I don’t wear a suit and tie. I argue all day about money and ownership and nudity and the size of people’s heads on billboards.

“It’s a weird job, but I love it.”

Joining Lastine on the team are Randi Frisby, Lulu Quintanilla and his wife, Silvia Lastine. Frisby is an associate attorney who started in 2023 after interning; Quintanilla is an executive assistant and Silvia Lastine serves as the chief financial officer.

“We keep things lean,” Lastine said. “My wife helps manage the day-to-day operations of the firm, and I focus on client work and strategy. We’re small on purpose. It lets us stay hands-on and personal with our clients.”

One of the firm’s projects is a film starring Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett along with Chris Pine and Dave Bautista.

“We’re hopeful our Cate Blanchett-starring and produced feature ‘Alpha Gane’ makes it into Cannes this year,” Lastine said. “That would be a major milestone for the firm.

“We also represent Green Street Pictures, whose animated series, Common Side Effects, is on Adult Swim and HBO Max. It has been winning a lot of awards and we just started working on season three of the show.

“Our clients’ projects have premiered at major festivals, aired on national television and streamed globally. Some of our actor clients have been in major theatrical blockbuster films as well as premiere in shows for top-tier streaming services.”

Lastine also serves as an adjunct lecturer on entertainment business law at the Los Angeles Film School.