Ryan Nord
• Georgetown University Law Center
J.D., 2001
• University of California at Berkeley
B.A., Political Science, 1998
Ryan has the pleasure of representing both established and emerging talent in traditional media, including film and television on-camera performers, television creators and showrunners, and feature film writers and directors. Ryan is also an industry leader in dealmaking for podcast series, docuseries, and digital productions.
Ryan began his legal career as a corporate attorney at Latham & Watkins. Following a stint at NBC Universal, Ryan built his talent practice as a partner at Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman LLP. Ryan and Jesse founded The Nord Group LLP in 2019.
Jesse Nord
• Pepperdine University School of Law
J.D., 2009; Cum Laude; Order of the Coif;
Presidential Scholarship Recipient; Law Review
• University of Southern California
B.A., Philosophy, 2005; Cum Laude;
Dean’s Merit Scholarship Recipient
Jesse is dedicated to advocating for her clients and uses her wealth of company-side experience to her clients’ advantage in her representation. As the media landscape changes and power is consolidated into tech corporations and away from legacy media companies, she believes it’s more important than ever for artists to have an advocate that is singularly focused on their interests. Jesse represents a wide range of clients across the entertainment industry, including writers, show creators, directors, on-camera talent, authors, and brand ambassadors.
Jesse started her law career as a talent attorney at Hirsch Wallerstein before serving as outside business affairs and production counsel for a variety of entertainment company clients at another boutique firm. Prior to founding The Nord Group LLP, Jesse was in-house at FX Productions and FX Networks as a business and legal affairs executive, where she led negotiations for scripted series and served as production counsel for multiple shows. Jesse and Ryan founded The Nord Group LLP in 2019.
Matt Papa
• UCLA School of Law
J.D., 2016; Entertainment Law Review; Entertainment, Media, and Intellectual Property Law Specialization
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.A., Political Science, 2010
Matt advises clients across all of the firm’s entertainment practice areas, including staff writers, scripted television show creators, feature film directors and writers, as well as on-camera talent, including endorsement and brand relationships. Harnessing his extensive experience in the unscripted space, Matt has assumed a leadership role as an expert strategist and negotiator for the firm’s most prolific podcast and unscripted production companies.
Matt began his career at the law firm of Hansen Jacobson and more recently was an associate at Del Shaw. Matt joined The Nord Group LLP in 2019.