Our Team
Carissa Knol
PartnerCarissa Knol co-founded Knol Hanly P.C. in 2024, building upon the success of her earlier venture, Knol Law P.C., established in 2021. Her practice focuses on transactional representation for corporate clients, including film financiers and film, television and documentary production companies, and her client portfolio extends to individual producers, writers, directors, and comedians. She has provided finance, production and/or distribution legal services on numerous productions in the independent film space as well as many documentary films/series. As a trusted advisor, Carissa ensures the protection of client interests and the advancement of creativity in the ever-evolving entertainment arena. Carissa received her Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law and was previously an attorney at Cohen Gardner LLP.
Elizabeth Hanly
PartnerLiz Hanly is a Partner at Knol Hanly P.C. Liz represents corporate clients, including film and television production companies and distributors, as well as individual producers, writers, and directors. Previously, Liz was a business affairs executive at Paramount Global, and an attorney at O'Melveny and Myers in Century City, and Cleary Gottlieb in New York. Liz received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Yale University, and her Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School. She also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Eric N. Vitaliano in the Eastern District of New York.
Tania Seanpanah
Senior AssociateTania Seanpanah joined the firm in August 2022. Prior to joining Knol Hanly P.C., Tania worked for several different law firms, including Glaser Weil and Womble Bond Dickinson, where she handled all phases of employment litigation, including but not limited to wage and hour matters, discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination claims. In addition to litigation, Tania provided guidance to corporate clients regarding best employment practices and drafted various employment agreements and employee handbooks for use by corporate clients. Tania now brings her extensive litigation background to bear in helping Knol Hanly clients navigate high level entertainment deals. Tania received her undergraduate degree from UCLA, and her Juris Doctor from University of Southern California, Gould School of Law and is licensed to practice law in California.
Durrana Subat
associateDurrana Subat joined Knol Hanly P.C. in October 2024, where she serves as production counsel for independent film producers. In this role, she works closely with clients to navigate the legal aspects of film production, including contracts, rights acquisition, financing, and distribution. Before joining Knol Hanly, Durrana spent three years at William Morris Endeavor (WME) as Associate Counsel/Business Affairs Executive in the WME Independent department. There, she worked across global distribution, sales and financing of independent films, gaining invaluable experience and insight into the global film market. With her background in entertainment law and business affairs, she is committed to helping filmmakers and producers navigate the legal complexities of their film projects. Durrana holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego, earned her law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2020, and was admitted to the California Bar in January 2021.
Justin Noah
AssociateJustin Noah joined Knol Hanly P.C. in October 2024. He earned his undergraduate degree in TV, Radio, & Film and Business from Syracuse University, and his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School, with a concentration in Media and Entertainment Law. Prior to joining the firm, Justin gained valuable experience as a law clerk and legal intern at several boutique entertainment law firms, as well as a clinician for the Southwestern Entertainment & the Arts Legal Clinic. At Knol Hanly, Justin focuses on transactional representation for film and television companies, as well as individual producers and writers.
Phoebe Henighan
CoordinatorPhoebe Henighan joined Knol Hanly in 2023. Prior to joining, she was Senior Director of Business Affairs and Production at Showtime. Before that, Phoebe spent over 18 years freelancing in television production where she held a variety of supervisor and producer roles, most notably overseeing clearance for multiple productions.