Deborah Hrbek’s focus is on entertainment and small business transactions. She represents creative professionals, entrepreneurs and artists, including indie labels, TV and film production companies, directors, talent, writers, managers, spokespersons, musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, graphic artists and photographers, as well as investors in the arts.
Hrbek’s small business clients include independent publishing houses and magazines, restaurant owners, software development and other technology companies, social networking sites and other internet-based business ventures. With this broad corporate and entertainment industry background, Hrbek has been able to provide effective representation to parties involved in the multi-platform, trans-media transactions that fuel the new media industry.
Born in Princeton, N.J., Hrbek was raised in Palo Alto, California and London, England. She received her law degree at King’s College, Cambridge University, and went on to qualify as a barrister in England. She argued cases and conducted trials in London’s Magistrates’ Courts, the High Courts and the Old Bailey, under her maiden name of Deborah Weich.
After an initial eight year stint in New York City starting in 1990, Hrbek moved to the British Virgin Islands and practiced law at a BVI-based international corporate law firm for two years. It was the height of the dot-com boom, and most of the firm’s clients were in the technology business. Hrbek prepared investment agreements and other financing documents for international technology companies raising capital through IPOs and private placements, and also handled international corporate litigation. She chaired the BVI Association of Registered Agents’ e-Commerce Working Group (1999-2000) and drafted that group’s Report and Recommendations to the BVI Government. After transferring back to New York City to work at Beck & Arad LLP, the New York firm affiliated with her BVI employer, Hrbek started her own law firm in Manhattan in 2002.
Hrbek’s ability to hone in on her clients’ needs enables her readily to devise an effective strategy, usually in the course of the initial consultation. Hrbek has a strong, engaging personality and a practical approach to problem solving and business planning. Her broad experience in a variety of cultures gives her a unique sensitivity and perspective in every aspect of her practice.