Alumni Spotlight: Todd Shill '93 – From Law to Film, Shaping the Entertainment Industry
Todd Shill, a 1993 graduate of Widener Law Commonwealth, has built an impressive career at the crossroads of law, media, and entertainment. As the founder of 75|77 Entertainment, he reflects on how his legal education paved the way for his journey into the entertainment industry and how media law continues to evolve.
Looking back, Shill credits his professors for supporting his ambitions early on. “Even as a 1L or 2L, when I told them I wanted to work in entertainment—while still living in Pennsylvania, not New York or L.A.—they never said it was unrealistic,” he recalls. “That kind of encouragement was invaluable.”
One professor in particular left a lasting impact. “Anyone who has taken a class with Professor Randy Lee knows why he’s so influential,” Shill says. “His teaching style pushed me to think outside the box and gave me the confidence to carve out a unique career path.”
Shill’s transition from practicing law to producing films was fueled by a lifelong love for entertainment. “I've wanted to work in this industry since I was a kid. That’s why I named my company 75|77 Entertainment—those were the years I fell in love with movies and television,” he explains. Growing up in Philadelphia, he was drawn to films like Rocky and Jaws, along with the groundbreaking comedy of Saturday Night Live.
“It wasn’t a straight path, but I always knew where I wanted to go,” he says.
Over the years, Shill has tackled his fair share of legal battles in the entertainment world. One particularly memorable moment? Negotiating with NBA star Stephen Curry and his production company for a television series about young athletes.
“Curry had all the leverage, but I managed to get him on board as an executive producer—despite some tough negotiations,” Shill recalls. “After that, I thought, ‘If I can handle this, I can negotiate with any A-lister in the business.’”
No two days in entertainment law are the same, and that’s what keeps things exciting. “Every day brings a new challenge, and each one teaches me something,” he says.
As the entertainment industry shifts, so do the legal questions surrounding it. Shill points to artificial intelligence as one of the biggest emerging concerns.
“AI is now capable of generating audio and video, which raises serious issues around name, image, and likeness rights,” he explains. “And with media giants consolidating and streaming platforms reshaping distribution, entertainment law is constantly evolving.”
For law students or young attorneys eyeing a career in media and entertainment, Shill has some practical advice:
“Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know everything. This industry changes fast, and you’ll learn something new every day—even from the artists you represent,” he says. “Be creative in your approach, take risks, and don’t be afraid to do things differently.”
One of Shill’s proudest accomplishments was working on the MAX true crime series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.
“It was the first project I worked on that truly became a cultural phenomenon,” he says. “Seeing it spark national conversations, land on the cover of People Magazine, and even inspire a spinoff—it was surreal.”
Reflecting on his journey, Shill has one simple piece of advice for his younger self:
“Appreciate everyone who takes a chance on you. Even the unexpected twists in your career happen for a reason,” he says. “Those moments shape who you become.”
