We met working at a top New York law firm, where we advised Fortune 500 companies and startups on a variety of transactional and regulatory matters. After years of practicing with some of the sharpest legal minds in the business, we were empowered to break free from conventional legal practice and embrace a more agile approach. We launched Studio Legal to serve the people and the work we care most about.
Cece Xie
Founding Partner
Cece launched Studio Legal to address the unique issues posed by a changing digital media landscape. She is passionate about helping creators and creatives navigate legalese and the business side of doing what they love (or have to do in order to do what they love). Her practice includes negotiating and drafting commercial contracts, advising on intellectual property issues such as copyright and trademark, and developing legal strategies to protect and assert her clients' rights.
As a lawyer, lecturer, and content creator, Cece possesses the rare capability to marry legal theory with firsthand industry experience. She is a Lecturer at Yale and teaches the course Intellectual Property in the Digital Age. While an associate at a top law firm in New York, she began creating content herself and has since amassed over 500,000 followers across social media platforms. As Cece interfaced with other players in the creator economy and negotiated her own deals, she saw a need for sophisticated yet practical legal advice in the space. She is proud to not only be a legal advisor to her clients but also a long-term strategic partner.
In her free time, Cece enjoys hot yoga, anime conventions, and dancing under flashing lights. She is also writing her debut book about the world of Big Law (Portfolio/Penguin Random House 2025).
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., 2016
Yale University, B.A. (Economics), 2013
Bar Admissions
New York 2017
Southern District of New York
Eastern District of New York
Max Zidel
Founding Partner
Max started Studio Legal because he loves working with artists and creatives to advocate for their interests and make their visions a reality.
Leveraging several years of experience practicing as a lawyer at a top New York law firm, he regularly advises on contract, general commercial and copyright issues across a variety of arts and entertainment industries. Whether as part of a new opportunity or minor dispute, Max is a skilled negotiator who prides himself on taking a highly practical and collaborative approach. Max is often called upon to help clients think through new projects, partnerships, and business models, particularly how best to structure these ventures and maximize copyright protections.
Max is also a creative himself with a background in creative writing and theatre (ask him about his time at clowning school in France). In the wild, you can often find him at an emerging art or furniture design show, or dancing to indie electronic or house music.
Education
McGill University, Faculty of Law, J.D., 2016
McGill University, Faculty of Arts, B.A. (Literature and Theatre), 2012
Bar Admissions
New York 2017