Hollywood Lawyer Returns to NY Roots

ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER Damien Granderson ’03 returned to his alma mater as the latest Alumni in Residence last fall. He spoke with students during a tour of campus and visits to the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Career and Professional Development Center offices. He presented “How I Got Here” an engaging lecture on his career journey.

The Beverly Hills-based entertainment lawyer—who represents and handles  transactions for some of music and entertainment’s biggest stars shared the sentiments during his two-day visit. Granderson is consistently recognized as one of the music and entertainment industry’s most prominent attorneys.

Born in New York City, and spending his formative years on Long Island, Granderson became the first attorney in his family and eventually a founding partner at Granderson Des Rochers, LLP in 2019.  

He took his first steps toward that  Hollywood practice here in upstate New York with his start at Albany Law School.

Prior to launching the firm, Granderson was a partner at Davis Shapiro Lewit Grabel Leven Granderson & Blake, LLP. He began his career in Business & Legal Affairs at Entertainment One, LP (formerly, Koch Entertainment). He received his B.S. in Business Management from Stony Brook University and JD from Albany Law School. He is licensed in both New York and California.

During his visit he recalled formative experiences in Torts classes with former Dean Dale Moore, working with Professor Pamela Armstrong, working on law review, participating (and winning) in Moot Court negotiations competitions, turning to Career and Professional Development Director Joanne Casey for help, and the Socratic Method of teaching.