April Paredes

April Paredes is a business and entertainment attorney with deep roots in the creator economy and media industry. She co-founded Ascent Legal because she kept seeing the same problem: creators building real businesses without the legal support they needed to protect what they were building. Big firms were not accessible to independent creators, most general practice lawyers did not understand the industry, and the legal language in most contracts was not written for the people signing them.

April gained her foundational experience at Sheppard Mullin Richter and Hampton LLP, one of the country's leading entertainment and media firms, where she focused on transactional matters related to the creation, production, and distribution of audiovisual content — including television, feature films, and podcasts. She advised clients on rights acquisition, licensing, and brand collaborations, working alongside producers, studios, media companies, and major brands entering the content creation space.

At Ascent Legal, April handles brand deals, influencer agreements, licensing, copyright, and content protection for creators, production companies, and brands. She brings the same level of deal sophistication that larger firms offer, but with the accessibility, speed, and plain-English communication that independent creators and growing businesses actually need.

April has also worked closely with startups throughout their lifecycle — from formation to exit — helping them navigate the legal complexities of growing and scaling. She takes pride in offering practical, tailored solutions, particularly for Latin American entities and talent entering the U.S. entertainment market.

April holds a JD from Georgetown Law and a Master's in Communication Management from USC. Her background bridges legal expertise and media industry knowledge in a way that is rare — and exactly what creators and production companies need in their corner.