Patrick N. Millsaps
Patrick N. Millsaps | |
---|---|
Born |
Patrick Neill Millsaps Knoxville, Tennessee |
Residence | West Hollywood, California (2014-present) |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Samford University, University of Georgia School of Law |
Occupation | Producer |
Employer | Londonderry Entertainment |
Political party | Libertarian |
Website | www.londonderryent.com |
Patrick Neill Millsaps is an American talent manager, producer and the co-founder & CEO of Londonderry Entertainment, a talent management and production company with offices in Atlanta, Nashville and Los Angeles. Prior to his work in the entertainment business, Millsaps was a practicing attorney in Georgia and, in 2012, served the Chief of Staff of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign.[1]
Early life and education
Millsaps was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and grew up in Cobb County, Georgia where he attended McEachern High School.[2] He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Samford University in 1995, where he graduated cum laude. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Millsaps worked for the Georgia Republican Party and then served as the political director for Johnny Isakson's first campaign for the U.S. Senate that ended in a primary loss in 1996.
He enrolled in the University of Georgia School of Law in 1997.[3] While still in law school, Millsaps served as the Policy Advisor to the Georgia State School Board and acted as the liaison between the Board Chairman Otis Brumby, then Georgia Governor Roy Barnes and then State School Superintendent Linda Schrenko.[2] Millsaps obtained his Juris Doctor in 2000.[2] After law school, he resumed a limited involvement in politics, organizing events and advising candidates for state and local offices.[3]
Career
Legal career
After passing the Georgia bar in 2000, he worked for criminal defense attorneys Ed Garland and Don Samuel during high-profile cases involving Ray Lewis, the Heritage High School shooting and the Gold Club trial.[2][4][5] He continued his early legal career as a litigator and later practiced law with his mentor, Hylton B. Dupree, Jr.[2]
Millsaps founded his own law firm in 2004, which merged in 2011 with Hall Booth Smith where he was partner.[2][6][7] Millsaps represented the Georgia Department of Community Health in 2008 as Special Counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue.[8] In 2010, Millsaps obtained a $1.5 Million jury verdict for the family of a man that was killed by a drunk driver.[9] This was one of the top jury verdicts in Georgia in 2010.[10]
In 2001, six months after he received his bar license, Millsaps filed the first lawsuit on behalf of a charter school against a school district in the State of Georgia. Millsaps represented Stone Mountain Charter School in a lawsuit against the Dekalb County school board over funding which the school claimed it should have and did not receive.[11] The suit's premise was that the Dekalb school board was discriminating against the charter school and breaching the charter school contract by allotting less money per student than other schools in the district. The school board paid to settle the suit, though it denied any wrongdoing, citing the 1998 charter school law that did not provide guidelines for funding.[12] This lawsuit and settlement became the model for charter school funding in Georgia.
Gingrich presidential campaign
On December 26, 2011, Millsaps was contacted by Newt Gingrich's 2012 campaign for the Republican nomination for president to offer him a position as deputy general counsel—a volunteer position.[3] Millsaps joined the campaign, his first involvement working in a presidential race, the week before the Iowa caucuses.[1][3][13] During the New Hampshire primary, Millsaps co-developed new campaign messaging which identified Gingrich as a "bold Reagan conservative". An issue paper, co-authored by Millsaps, was used by NBC's David Gregory to question Gingrich during the Meet the Press/Facebook Presidential Debate which was held in Concord, New Hampshire.[14]
After a month working for the campaign, and orchestrating Gingrich's primary win in South Carolina, Gingrich promoted Millsaps to the position of chief of staff following the Florida primary and immediately made changes to reorganize the campaign's structure.[1][3][13] In February 2012, he wrote a cease and desist letter sent to Georgia television stations on behalf of the Gingrich campaign, stating that an attack ad made by pro-Mitt Romney super PAC, Restore Our Future, was false and threatening to sue any station that continued to run the ad.[15][16] The ad asserted that Gingrich co-sponsored legislation with Representative Nancy Pelosi that would have given money to the United Nations in support of China's one-child policy.[15][16] While Gingrich and Pelosi were both co-sponsors of a 1989 resolution that provided $60 million to the United Nations Population Fund, the bill prohibited "the performance of involuntary sterilization or abortion or to coerce any person to accept family planning".[17]
Gingrich credits Millsaps with his statement, "you can't put a gun rack in a Volt".[18] Millsaps was also the designer of the "$2.50 gas" logo for Gingrich's campaign, which was part of an effort to simplify the campaign's messaging.[19][20] Millsaps gave several national television and radio interviews for the campaign including interviews with CNN's Joe Johns, Don Lemon, Jim Acosta, and Piers Morgan.[21][22][23][24][25] He also appeared on MSNBC with Thomas Roberts and Andrea Mitchell.[26][27] He was interviewed by Geraldo Rivera on his talk radio program in Los Angeles on 790 KABC (AM).[28]
Gingrich suspended his campaign for president on May 2, 2012.[29][30]
Producing and talent management
After the presidential campaign, Millsaps returned to practicing law in rural Southwest Georgia but took note when Stacey Dash, the star of the movie, "Clueless" publicly endorsed Mitt Romney for president in the 2012 general election.[31] "After the election and Romney’s loss, Millsaps wrote Dash a letter. He found her agent’s name online and put pen to paper, explaining that he’d had a unique experience as Gingrich’s chief of staff and said if she ever wanted to get more involved in politics to let him know."[31] However, after several meetings with political leaders, both Dash and Millsaps, decided not to pursue careers in politics any longer. Instead, Dash hired Millsaps as his manager—a term that he had to look up to determine his responsibilities.[31]
After only a few months, Millsaps orchestrated a deal with Fox News Channel for Dash to be hired by the cable news network as a "contributor" to offer "cultural analysis and commentary across Fox News' daytime and primetime programs."[32] This was the first time a working actress has simultaneously worked for a major news network.[33] This historic deal catapulted Millsaps into the entertainment business and caught the attention of such notables as Jon Voight, Gary Sinise, Andy Garcia, Nick Searcy and Patrick Dempsey.[31] Millsaps also wrote the original outline of Dash's upcoming memoir, "There Goes My Social Life."
In June 2013, co-founded HBS Management, a full-service talent management firm.[34] In November 2015, Millsaps left HBS to partner with noted agent Sheila Wenzel-Ganny to form Londonderry Entertainment. He now splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City working with such notables as Rose Mcgowan (Scream (1996 Film), Charmed), Lance Reddick (The Wire, Fringe (TV Series) & Bosch (TV series)); Been Reed (American Sniper (film)); J.W. Cortes (Gotham (TV series)); Melvin Ray Kearney II (Nashville (2012 TV series)) and others.
Millsaps also is an Executive Producer to the hit feature film: "I'll See You in My Dreams" starring Blythe Danner, Martin Starr, Sam Elliot, Malin Akerman, June Squibb and Rhea Perlman which was selected to premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.[35] The film was purchased for distribution by Bleecker Street (company) and premiered in New York and Los Angeles the weekend of May 15, 2015 to rave reviews.[36]
Millsaps is also Executive Producing and developing a film with legendary actor Steve Guttenberg.[37] He has several new films in various stages of development.
In February, 2015, Millsaps terminated his business relationship with Ms. Dash.
Tax credits in Georgia
In 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed the first tax incentive bill to encourage film and television production in the state of Georgia.[38] As of August 5, 2014, these incentives had generated $5.1 billion in economic impact in the State of Georgia.[39] Governor Perdue credits Millsaps for ensuring that these incentives were passed in Georgia stating, "Patrick Millsaps understood early the benefits for Georgia aggressively pursuing the entertainment industry as an economic development project."[40] "The combination of his business, political and legal skills were helpful in making tax credits a reality in Georgia."[40]
Londonderry Entertainment
In December of 2015, Millsaps teamed up with Sheila Wenzel-Ganny. Wenzel had been a high profile agent for 20 years with the Innovative Agency and discovered such talent as Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Biel, and Chloe Grace Moretz. Londonderry was founded for the purpose of "developing" the next generation of female filmmakers. Wenzel now runs the talent management division of Londonderry out of its Beverly Hills office and Patrick is a full-time producer vetting and financing film and television programs. Millsaps was a vocal critic of the Georgia General Assembly's so-called "Religious Liberty" bill and warned of its impact on Georgia's economy. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal vetoed the controversial piece of legislation.
Honors and recognitions
Millsaps has been called "one of the smartest, hard-working lawyers in the country".[13] He has achieved an "AV-Preeminent" rating from Martindale-Hubbell.[41] Millsaps was recognized by "Georgia Trend Magazine" as one of Georgia's best and brightest "40 under 40" in 2011.[7] "James Magazine" has recognized him as one of the "Most Influential Georgians" every year since 2007 and one of "Georgia's Top Legal Leaders" in 2005 and 2006.[2][42] The University of Georgia's Alumni Association recognized him as one of its 40 Under 40 in 2012.[43] Atlanta Magazine recognized Millsaps as a "Rising Star" in 2010 and 2012.[44] He was named one of as one of Southwest Georgia's "40 most influential people under the age of 40" by The Albany Herald in 2006.[2]
In 2008, Millsaps was selected as one of 53 emerging American leaders representing 17 states and the District of Columbia to receive the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship awarded through the German Marshall Fund.[45][46]
Millsaps was chosen to lead the Chinese Taipei Olympic Team into Centennial Olympic Stadium during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
Movie appearances
Millsaps has appeared in several feature films. He played a police officer in the 2000 DreamWorks film Road Trip.[47] He also appears in the 2011 Sherwood Pictures film Courageous as a "man in restaurant."[48] In 2012, Millsaps received his first credited role as District Attorney Denny Donaldson in the independent film, Untouched.[49]
References
- 1 2 3 Cameron, Carl (2012-02-03). "Gingrich Names New Chief of Staff". Fox News. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Attorneys: Patrick N. Millsaps". Hall Booth Smith. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Moe, Alex (2012-03-21). "Top Gingrich aide symbolizes unconventional approach". NBC. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ↑ Charles, Nick (2000-06-05). "Garland on Defense". CNNSI.com. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ↑ Simmons, Bill (2007-09-27). "Idiot's Guide to Gold Club Trial". ESPN. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ↑ "HBSS Offices". Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- 1 2 Simo, Christy (October 2011). "2011 40 Under 40: Georgia's Best & Brightest". Georgia Trend. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
- ↑ Perdue, Sonny (28 Jan 2008). "Executive Order" (PDF). State of Georgia. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- ↑ Cohilas, Karen (2012-01-08). "Family wins wrongful death suit". WALB News. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ↑ "Verdict Search's Top Georgia Verdicts of 2010". p. 28. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ↑ "Charter school may close, leaders seek funds to sustain operation". Atlanta Journal Constitution. 2001-05-17. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
- ↑ "DeKalb settles suit with charter school". Atlanta Journal Constitution. 2001-08-16. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
- 1 2 3 Rhem, Todd (2012-01-03). "Patrick Millsaps named Gingrich campaign Deputy General Counsel". Peach Pundit. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ↑ "Meet the Press/Facebook Republican Presidential Debate". 2012-01-08. 4:03 minutes in. Missing or empty
|series=
(help) - 1 2 Gabriel, Trip (2012-02-17). "Gingrich Campaign Threatens to Sue Over Attack Ads". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
- 1 2 Caldwell, Leigh Ann (2012-02-17). "Gingrich demands TV stations drop attack ad". CBS News. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
- ↑ "Newt supported China's one-child policy, Super PAC says". PolitiFact. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
- ↑ "Rick & Bubba Show". 2012-03-13. 4:20 minutes in. Missing or empty
|series=
(help) - ↑ "Gingrich to Obama: Fire Secretary Chu". Fox News. 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
- ↑ "Gingrich stakes a third comeback on #250gas". Storyful. 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
- ↑ Joe Johns, Patrick Millsaps, Anderson Cooper (2012-03-13). CNN Politics. Birmingham, Alabama: CNN.
- ↑ Morgan, Piers (2012-03-20). "Patrick Millsaps on Rick Santorum: "No presidential candidate should sunbathe in public"". CNN. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ↑ Piers Morgan, Patrick Millsaps (2012-03-20). Gingrich Chief of Staff Reacts to Illinois Results, Predicts Strong Second Half. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: CNN.
- ↑ Lemon, Don. "Gingrich Chief of Staff Outlines Path to Big Choice GOP Convention". CNN. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ↑ Acosta, Jim. "Gingrich Campaign Leaner, Focused on President Obama". CNN. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ↑ Roberts, Thomas. "Last Gasp for Gingrich?". msnbc. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ↑ Mitchell, Andrea. "Is the Gingrich campaign all but finished?". msnbc. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
- ↑ Rivera, Geraldo. "Geraldo speaks to Newt's Chief of Staff". appears at 21:36: 790 KABC Los Angeles.
- ↑ Page, Susan (2012-05-01). "Gingrich to Support Romney". USA Today. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
- ↑ "Gingrich officially bows out". cnn.com. 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 Sheinin, Aaron. "We're not in Camilla anymore: Country Lawyer to Hollywood Manager". www.ajc.com. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ↑ "Stacey Dash joins Fox News as a contributor". www.foxnews.com.
- ↑ Harman, Justine. "Is Stacey Dash the Future of Politics". www.elle.com. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ↑ Yamato, Jen. "Ex-Gingrich Chief of Staff Launches Management Co. Following Stacey Dash Fox Deal". www.deadline.com.
- ↑ "Sundance Blog". Sundance.
- ↑ Rotton Tomatoes http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ill_see_you_in_my_dreams/. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ "Country Lawyer Brings Southern Charm to Hollywood". Albany Herald.
- ↑ Longwell, Todd. "Vampire Diaries Hunger Games Fuel Peachy Georgia Production Scene". www.variety.com.
- ↑ "Deal: Film Industry Generates $5.1 billion in economic impact".
- 1 2 Yamato, Jen. "Ex-Gingrich Chief of Staff Launches Management Co. Following Stacey Dash Fox News Deal". www.deadline.com. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ↑ Millsaps, Patrick. "Martindale-Hubbell Rating For Patrick Millsaps". Martindale-Hubbell. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ↑ "John Hall, Brad Carver & Patrick Millsaps Named to Most Influential List". hbss.net. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ↑ "University of Georgia Alumni Association 40 Under 40 Class of 2012". Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ↑ Millsaps, Patrick. "Super Lawyers: Rising Stars". Super Lawyers Publications. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ↑ "GMF Selects 53 American Marshall Memorial Fellows for 2008". Beyond Borders Internet Television. 12 December 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ↑ "The Marshall Memorial Fellowship". The German Marshall Fund. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ↑ Phillips, Todd. "Road Trip (film)". Appears at 1:25:14 in film: Dreamworks. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ Kendrick, Alex. "Courageous (film)". Appears at 36:30 in film: Sherwood Pictures. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ↑ Millsaps, Patrick. "IMDb Page". Internet Movie Database.