John F. Wharton
Encyclopedia
John Franklin Wharton was a prominent American lawyer
and founding partner of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Wharton's work was steeped in the classic era of Broadway theatre
; he was an aficionado of the stage from his youth, and his practice as a lawyer developed around a series of representations that helped shape the theater business in the United States
.
, Wharton attended Williams College
, New York Law School
and Columbia Law School
, which awarded him a Bachelor of Law in 1920. With fellow Columbia Law student Louis Weiss, Wharton formed the predecessor firm that would eventually become Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. He served as partner in the firm until his retirement in 1977.
Wharton's second marriage was to Betty Ann Fisher, who was an actress that performed under the stage name Mary Mason.
, a prominent Broadway producer. Wiman introduced Wharton to Cole Porter
, who became one of Wharton's enduring clients; Wharton was named by Porter as one co-executor of his estate and the sole trustee of the Cole Porter Musical and Literary Property Trusts.
Wharton represented many other theatre and film artists, including Selznick International Pictures during the filming of Gone With the Wind. He also became involved in producing theatre as well: along with writers Maxwell Anderson
, Elmer Rice
, Sidney Howard
, Robert E. Sherwood
and S.N. Behrman, Wharton founded the Playwrights Producing Company in 1938.
Wharton is also credited with creating contract norms that became standard agreements in the entertainment industry, including a uniform partner agreement that defined the financial interests of producers.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and founding partner of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Wharton's work was steeped in the classic era of Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
; he was an aficionado of the stage from his youth, and his practice as a lawyer developed around a series of representations that helped shape the theater business in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Biography
Born in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, Wharton attended Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
, New York Law School
New York Law School
New York Law School is a private law school in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City. New York Law School is one of the oldest independent law schools in the United States. The school is located within four blocks of all major courts in Manhattan. In 2011, New York Law School...
and Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
, which awarded him a Bachelor of Law in 1920. With fellow Columbia Law student Louis Weiss, Wharton formed the predecessor firm that would eventually become Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. He served as partner in the firm until his retirement in 1977.
Wharton's second marriage was to Betty Ann Fisher, who was an actress that performed under the stage name Mary Mason.
Theatrical Work
Wharton's work in theatrical representations began early in his career with Dwight Deere WimanDwight Deere Wiman
Dwight Deere Wiman was an American silent movie actor, playwright and theatrical director. He is best known as a Broadway producer.-Early life & Education:...
, a prominent Broadway producer. Wiman introduced Wharton to Cole Porter
Cole Porter
Cole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
, who became one of Wharton's enduring clients; Wharton was named by Porter as one co-executor of his estate and the sole trustee of the Cole Porter Musical and Literary Property Trusts.
Wharton represented many other theatre and film artists, including Selznick International Pictures during the filming of Gone With the Wind. He also became involved in producing theatre as well: along with writers Maxwell Anderson
Maxwell Anderson
James Maxwell Anderson was an American playwright, author, poet, journalist and lyricist.-Early years:Anderson was born in Atlantic, Pennsylvania, the second of eight children to William Lincoln "Link" Anderson, a Baptist minister, and Charlotte Perrimela Stephenson, both of Scots and Irish descent...
, Elmer Rice
Elmer Rice
Elmer Rice was an American playwright. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his 1929 play, Street Scene.-Early years:...
, Sidney Howard
Sidney Howard
Sidney Coe Howard was an American playwright and screenwriter. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1925 and a posthumous Academy Award in 1940 for the screenplay for Gone with the Wind.-Early life:...
, Robert E. Sherwood
Robert E. Sherwood
Robert Emmet Sherwood was an American playwright, editor, and screenwriter.-Biography:Born in New Rochelle, New York, he was a son of Arthur Murray Sherwood, a rich stockbroker, and his wife, the former Rosina Emmet, a well-known illustrator and portrait painter known as Rosina E. Sherwood...
and S.N. Behrman, Wharton founded the Playwrights Producing Company in 1938.
Wharton is also credited with creating contract norms that became standard agreements in the entertainment industry, including a uniform partner agreement that defined the financial interests of producers.