HELLO, I'M
Shelina Kurwa.
Legal Strategist & Interactive Storyteller
Exploring the Intersection of Law, Tech & Narrative Design
About Me
AT ALL TIMES, BUT ESPECIALLY NOW, THE WORLD NEEDS LEGENDS.
In our darkest days, imaginary worlds are what help us to dream of a better tomorrow. My conviction in the transformative power of immersive storytelling is what fuels my dedication to the realm of interactive entertainment.
Adept at navigating the intersection of business and law, storytelling and technology, I bring a nuanced perspective to the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. By advocating for today's creators, I strive to harness the full potential of interactive entertainment to enact positive social change.
In doing so, I hope to help shape the narrative landscape of tomorrow so that it not only entertains, but also enriches our collective experience, driving unity and innovation in equal measure.
Professional Profile
CAREER SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS
I have over five years of experience as a lawyer specializing in technology, media, and IP matters, with a focus on the interactive entertainment and immersive media industry. I hold a dual-degree JD/MBA from NYU and a certificate in diversity and inclusion from the National Diversity Council. Most recently, as Counsel at Blizzard Entertainment, I forged innovative legal strategies to support internal partners across the company, including business teams in game development, marketing, voiceover, and consumer packaged goods. I also supported the company's D&I initiatives as a Way2Play Hero and the head of the LGBT+ Network's nascent Inclusive Gaming Committee.
Experience
2022 - 2024
Blizzard Entertainment
Counsel
2019 - 2020
Perkins Coie LLP
Associate
2020 - 2022
Blizzard Entertainment
Associate Counsel
PRIOR INTERNSHIPS
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Lionsgate (Television Business Affairs)
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Temple Hill Entertainment
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NBCUniversal - USA Network (Original Scripted Series Programming)
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Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) (Hauptredaktion Fernsehfilm/ Fernsehspiel (Editorial Department – TV Films/Series)
2017 - 2019
Proskauer Rose LLP
Associate
Education
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | JD/MBA
Course Highlights: Deal Making & Business Development in Media and Entertainment; Corporate Strategy and
Finance in Entertainment and Media; The Business of Producing: Entrepreneurship in Entertainment & Media;
Movie Marketing and Distribution
NYU School of Law
Honors & Activities: Executive Editor, New York University Law Review; Trademark Law Research Assistant
NYU Leonard N. Stern School of Business
Specializations: Entertainment, Media & Technology; Leadership and Change Management; Corporate Finance
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | BACHELOR OF ARTS (AB)
Course Highlights: Screenwriting II: Adaptation (taught by Christina Lazaridi); Creative Writing Workshop (taught by Colm Tóibín)
German Department, Media & Aesthetics Program | Visual Arts Certificate, Film And Video Track
Honors & Activities: Mary Cunningham Humphreys Junior Year Research Prize; President, Princeton Student Entertainment Network
Additional Training & Selected Creative Writing Courses
2023
The Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)®
Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)®
2013
UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television
Certificate, Producing
GOTHAM WRITERS WORKSHOP
Courses: Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing I; Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing II; Video Game Writing 1 - Conception; Video Game Writing 2 - Implementation; Novel II - First Draft (Parts 1 & 2); Blog Basics Intensive
CATAPULT MAGAZINE
Courses: Game-Writing Workshop - Introduction to Interactive Fiction; Writing & Publishing Roleplaying Games
WRITING THE OTHER
Courses: Deep Dive Intensive - Creating Diverse Characters; Deep Dive Intensive - Description and Language; Diverse Narrative Structure; The Heroine’s Journey; Charting Your Character’s Arc
DUNGEON MASTER UNIVERSITY
Courses: Hooking Players on Your Brand of Storytelling; Devious Plots and Inspired Improv; Conflict-Driven Characters - Villains and NPCs with Conflicted Souls; Worldbuilding Wonder and the Humility of the Gods; Mastering Your Voice for Epic Storytelling; Write with Advantage - Epic Game Design; Inspiring Collaboration; Captivating Combat; Conducting Cinematic Scenes