Entertainment judge Matthew Rosenhart speaks at a Free Britney rally.
It can be difficult when you start working with high profile clients. Are there things I shouldn’t ask? Should I reply right away? Can I tell other people about my client? These are some questions you may have. But don’t worry, I spoke to a respected judge with decades of experience. Matthew Rosengart, media and entertainment litigation and commercial litigation partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP. He has worked with some big names like Britney Spears, Steven Spielberg, Ben Affleck, Keanu Reeves, Verizon, Meta and others.
But Rosengart isn’t in it for the proximity to celebrity or wealth. He is on a mission to make the world a better place. “In the morning I might be talking to an executive at a company and in the afternoon I might be talking to a high-profile celebrity,” he told me. “What I’ve learned from being able to represent these types of people and companies is that your work as a judge will make a difference.”
I spoke with renowned judge Mathew Rosengart about advice for professionals working with high-profile clients.
Be diligent in what you do
Representing public figures is not easy. They have put their trust in you to protect them and represent them to the best of your ability. Remember, if you do a great job, you may introduce yourself to even more successful clients. And this includes having a history of winning cases or entering into partnerships with public figures and companies.
“Do a great job and be diligent in what you do. In addition to being excellent, working very hard and being diligent, there is a personal character to these types of things,” Rosengart said. And he’s right—working with high-profile clients involves a lot of personal conversations that shouldn’t be repeated for the client’s security and privacy. No matter how exciting or surprising your conversations with the client are, you should always stick to the rules of the agreement or non-disclosure agreement you signed.
Try to respond immediately
A large part of the work with public figures is often available. Respond to high-powered customers as quickly as possible. Make sure when you reply that you contact them when they are down. According to Rosengart, prompt response is essential to maintaining a good relationship with high-profile clients. “Try to respond immediately, but also be very sensitive to the needs and schedule of that particular client,” he told me. “For example, a celebrity client might be on a movie set, a high-profile corporate client is in the office from 7am until late. You need to adjust your communication.”
And some of that communication includes email, text messages, and phone calls. Be especially responsive when it comes to phone calls. You don’t want to keep a customer waiting too long. Rosengart said “there’s always a balance between making sure your client is well informed as you build trust, while also being very respectful of their schedule.”
A huge reason why high-profile clients choose certain lawyers and advisors is because of their ability to respond promptly. But don’t be upset if you can’t answer once or twice in your career, but definitely make the effort to answer a priority.
Build trust with your customers
Building trust is one of the most important parts of working with high-profile clients. Even if your client is famous, it doesn’t mean they don’t want to be treated like everyone else.
You may also want to be introduced to these types of clients through your manager or colleagues. When someone can vouch for your trustworthiness, that goes a long way. Rosengart believes that “things like credibility and trust are essential.”
He advises professionals with high-profile clients to be responsive and clear with clients. “I’m also honest, but I never over-promise. If you’re practicing at the highest level, whether you’re representing clients in corporate America or Hollywood, building trust is absolute,” he said.
