About Us

At Showbiz Consultants, we bridge the gap between creativity and documents, making the complexities of film and television legal delivery straightforward and stress-free.

Whether you’re a major distributor needing to streamline your processes or an independent filmmaker ready to bring your vision to a global audience, our mission is to ensure your legal & business affairs journey is smooth, cost-effective, and efficient.

We’ve carefully curated a team of industry experts to advise on all aspects of your business, project, event, or program. This team includes licensed attorneys and legal professionals based globally, each with specialized experience in various facets of the entertainment industry.

Together, we bring decades of licensed entertainment legal experience, ensuring that Showbiz Consultants offers industry-leading expertise tailored to your needs.

Showbiz Consultants is a consulting company and not a law firm. We make no representation that our services are law firm services or that they guarantee the enhancement of your company. Our consultation is not legal advice and engagement does not form an attorney-client relationship. Our consultation should not substitute for professional legal advice and we advise you to seek the counsel of your own independent attorney.

    Founder

    Walter Boholst, J.D., Esq.

    President & Founder

    Walter Boholst began working in legal delivery in 2008 with Image Entertainment. Sixteen years later, he has since supervised the legal delivery process for thousands of films and TV series. Highlights include “Stowaway,” “Mandy,” and “Vivarium.”

    Walter has also contributed to the business side of hundreds of music projects released by major record labels.

    His diverse experience includes roles at entertainment titans including:

    • The Walt Disney Company (The IncrediblesThe Jimmy Kimmel Show),
    • Universal Music Group (Blink 182Paulina Rubio)
    • Rhino Entertainment/Warner Music Group (PrinceThe EaglesThe Doors).
    • Arc Entertainment, VP and Head of Business Affairs (The Ward96 Minutes)

    Walter’s degrees and credentials include:

    • A diehard fan of his undergraduate alma mater, University of Florida.
    • A law degree from the University of Miami School of Law
    • Additional film education from Miami Dade College and UCLA Extension
    • He is a licensed attorney in his home state of Florida.

    Walter has also lectured around the world for a wide array of hosts:

    • Film Development Council of the Philippines
    • The National Filipino American Youth Association
    • The University of Florida Asian Student Union
    • The University of Miami School of Film and TV
    Walter Boholst headshot

    In addition to his legal expertise, Walter is also a creative and filmmaker – giving him unique empathy for his clients on both the buying and selling sides of the Hollywood equation. 

    He has written, directed, and produced two feature films along with numerous other creative projects. This unique blend of both creative and legal expertise allows Walter to offer a distinctive level of service to Showbiz Consultants’ clients—ensuring that both artistic vision and business needs are met.

    Walter’s dedication to his clients, staff, and staying up to date with international industry trends splits his time between Florida, Los Angeles, and industry hotspots around the globe.

    The Team

    Marissa Crespo, J.D., Esq.

    – Legal Analyst

    Marissa Crespo headshot

    Marissa Crespo is an entertainment and intellectual property attorney specializing in copyright and trademark protection for content creators in the entertainment industry. As the principal of Crespo Law Office, which operates out of Atlanta and New York City, Marissa focuses her practice on contract negotiations across the development, production, and distribution phases of film, television, podcasts, and new media projects.

    Marissa has played a key role in securing deals for television shows featured on major networks and streaming platforms, including ABC, NBC, VH1, Bravo, Hulu, and Peacock. Her work includes prominent series such as Love & Hip-Hop and the Real Housewives franchises. She has also served as production legal counsel for films that premiered at prestigious festivals like Tribeca and Sundance, providing invaluable legal support to creative teams.

    In addition to her television and film experience, Marissa has consulted for major entertainment companies such as Disney, A&E, Conde Nast, Sesame Workshop, and MarVista Entertainment. Her diverse expertise and dedication to brand protection make her an invaluable asset to Showbiz Consultants and the clients we serve.

    Much like many of our clients, Marissa is a talented writer and creative. She has been published in leading entertainment and sports trade journals, is currently a freelance writer for Screencraft, and is a member of the Authors Guild.

    Mei Loraine Fanlo-Dabon, LL.B., Esq.

    – Legal Analyst

    Mei Loraine Fanlo-Dabon Headshot

    Loraine Fanlo-Dabon is a Filipino lawyer born and raised in Cebu, Philippines. She is currently based in Auckland, New Zealand, where she supports Showbiz Consultants clients remotely.

    Loraine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, majoring in Business Administration, along with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Cebu. (In the Philippines, a Bachelor of Laws requires four years of study; it is the Philippine equivalent of law school in the United States.)

    Loraine has extensive experience as a legal practitioner, having spent eight years as a Commission Attorney for the National Labor Relations Commission, Seventh Division, in Cebu—an agency under the Department of Labor and Employment. During her government service, she gained significant expertise in labor law and dispute resolution.

    Following her government role, Loraine transitioned into private practice for two years, focusing on Employment and Civil Law. Our fully remote, globally distributed team allows her to maintain excellent work-life balance while working at a very high level in her field.

    Mark J. Davis, J.D., Esq. (retired)

    – Legal Analyst

    Mark J. Davis, J.D., Esq. Headshot

    Mark J. Davis is a seasoned music law expert with decades of experience, handling some of Showbiz Consultants’ most challenging and intricate projects. Practicing law since 1978, Mark specializes in copyright and entertainment law. After relocating his private practice to Shreveport post-Hurricane Katrina, he became Of Counsel to Eveline Davis & Phillips, one of New Orleans’ top music and entertainment law firms. His expertise spans music publishing administration, catalogue sales, and other transactional matters, and he represents songwriters, publishers, labels, and artists in copyright infringement cases across Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.

    Mark’s distinguished career includes a special appointment from the Librarian of Congress as an Arbitrator for the Copyright Office, where his panel allocated over $89 million in cable TV rebroadcast royalties to 3,500 film and television claimants. A sought-after lecturer at universities, law schools, and music conferences, Mark also taught Music Business at Loyola University from 2001 to 2013. He has authored three books—The Complete Copyright Kit, The Teacher’s Guide to Copyright, and Legal Issues in the Music Industry—and taught a graduate course on Intellectual Property at Northeastern University in Boston. Mark holds both a B.A. (1976) and J.D. (1978) from Tulane University.

    Michael Roark, J.D., Esq.

    – Legal Analyst

    Michael Roark, J.D., Esq. Headshot

    As a veteran legal analyst at Showbiz Consultants, Michael takes on some of the most complex and high-profile projects, ensuring every task is handled with precision and care. A licensed attorney since 2009, Michael earned his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law and began his career in Florida’s competitive real estate legal market. He later transitioned into the film industry, producing various projects and leveraging his law school mock trial experience into a successful acting career. Michael has starred in films like Driven, Bennett’s War, and Furious in Alabama, as well as appearing in popular shows like The Young and the Restless, Magic Mike, and Beauty and the Beast.

    Julie Hunt, J.D., Esq.

    – Account Director

    Photo of a laptop and other office desk thingss

    Julie Hunt joined Showbiz Consultants in 2022, bringing with her a wealth of industry experience. She oversees legal delivery review for Showbiz Consultants’ clients, including sales agents, distributors, and independent producers. 

    Julie graduated from The George Washington University in 2003 with a B.A. in Political Science, focusing on Public Policy. She earned her J.D. from Southwestern College of Law in 2007, where she participated in the accelerated SCALE program and completed an externship with Warner Music Group. She is licensed to practice law in California.

    Julie’s professional background spans some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal Music Group, Wixen Music, Vin Di Bona Productions, and Activision. She has also practiced law with several boutique law firms specializing in film and television production and distribution.

    Notably, Julie is also a decorated combat veteran. She served in the U.S. Navy for four years, deploying twice aboard the USS WASP (LHD-1). For her outstanding service, she was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by the Admiral of the Sixth Fleet. 

    Showbiz Consultants is fortunate to benefit from Julie’s discipline, expertise, and dedication.

    Testimonials

    “It was lovely to work with you. We appreciate your patience as we worked to get everything sorted.  Thank you and look forward to working with you in the future.” 

    - Giancarlo Sini

    Production Supervisor, "Wonderwell"

    “Thank you Julie and the whole Showbiz Consultants team!”

    - Nina Kolokouri

    Partner, AMP/Essential Film Group, "The Demon Disorder"

    “Thank you for your patience, I know it has been a long road and I appreciate your help in getting us over the line!” 

    - Paul Duane

    Director, "All You Need Is Death"